LOCAL history will be celebrated in Durham throughout next month.

Events ranging from a tour of a Durham University college to themed children's story times are being drawn up by staff at Clayport Library, in Durham.

The events are part of a national local history month organised by the Historical Association and local history groups throughout the country.

The programme of events will begin with Keys to the Past, a project that will unlock the secrets of County Durham and Northumberland's past.

Project officer David Petts will be on hand on Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, to introduce the Heritage Lottery-funded joint venture between Durham and Northumberland county councils.

It will be followed on Saturday, May 3, by an illustrated talk on the stained glass of Durham Cathedral, by Roger Norris, a former Dean and Chapter librarian.

Tickets for the talk, which will start at 10am, cost £2 and should be reserved as soon as possible as seating is limited.

On Saturday, May 10 and 17, there will be a talk on the history of Hatfield College with a guided tour of the college on May 17.

During school half-term, on Wednesday, May 28, Durham County Council archaeologists will hold an Inspector Norse Investigates session for over-fives.

There will also be an opportunity for over-fives to make up a family tree using family photographs on Saturday, May 31.

Story times on Wednesday and Saturday during half-term at 11am will be on a local theme.

A children's treasure hunt, using postcards of Durham City scenes and activity sheets from Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, will run throughout May.

For details, contact the library, Millennium Place, Claypath, on 0191-386 4003.