MILITARY enthusiasts have promised to support plans to reopen a former prisoner of war camp as a tourist attraction.

Members of the Military Vehicles Trust recently travelled to Harperley POW camp, near Wolsingham, in restored wartime vehicles.

Jon Kerr, North-East area secretary, said it was evidence of the group's enthusiasm for the scheme.

He said: "Our group aims to save military vehicles and restore and maintain them so they are not forgotten, which is the concept behind the re-opening of the camp.

"We have been along to work on the site and hope to set up a display in one of the huts, and show a couple of vehicles here when it opens."

The camp, known as Camp 93 when it was built in 1943 to house Italian and German prisoners, was awarded scheduled monument status.

James and Lisa McCleod, who own the site, want to restore the 49 huts.

Mrs McCleod said: "It has been a great benefit to have members helping work on the site and really brings the place to life when they bring military vehicles.

"We want the camp to be authentic and educational so it will help to have the group's presence when we open."