A MULE will help recreate the country life of yesteryear at County Durham's biggest local history fair.

Frances, who is more than 20 years old, will make her debut with Rent a Peasant, a re-enactment group, at Durham County Council's Yesterday Belongs With You Six, on Saturday, April 5, at County Hall, Durham.

The mule was bought by rare animal breeders Paul Stokes and Louisa Gidney, of Tow Law, in 2000.

"I was looking to buy a washing machine at the time when I came across the advertisement for Frances so I bought the mule instead," said Louisa.

"While she loves carrots and loves being fed by children she's not much good when it comes to doing the washing."

David Butler, of the County Record Office, said: "Rent a Peasant were extremely popular four years ago when they brought rare breed sheep to Yesterday Belongs to You Four, and it's good to have them back again.

"We're now in our tenth year and each event just gets better and better. We had around 3,500 visitors to the last one. Local societies put in a vast amount of work preparing fascinating and informative exhibitions, which are always received with great enthusiasm and interest by visitors.

"There is always something for everyone - from the serious researcher to those who just want to know a little more about the history of their family, house or village.

More than 80 organisations, ranging from small local history societies to museums, will be at the fair.

Parking and admission to the event, from 10.30am to 4pm, will be free.