DECADES after they were sent home from a Weardale prisoner-of-war camp, former interns are helping to piece together the site's history so it can be opened as a visitors' attraction.

Owners James and Lisa McLeod bought Harperley Camp last year and aim to restore the site as a monument to its former inhabitants.

The couple have just returned from a trip to Germany to meet some of the men held at the camp during the Second World War.

Many Italian and German former interns contacted them after they heard of the plan.

Mr McLeod said: "Now people know we want to open the camp as a museum they are keen to help us ensure its past is not forgotten. Items sent in have been fascinating and talking to former prisoners or people who remember them brings the project to life."

By day lots of the young men worked on nearby farms, by night they returned to the camp where they recreated a taste of home by painting murals and holding shows in a theatre.

Many struck up friendships, and even romances, with locals who have also donated items to the project.

Among the pieces donated are wooden carvings and hand-painted theatre programmes, which were often dedicated to hospitable locals.

Mrs McLeod said: "The fondness they still have with the camp is amazing, they were frightened when they came here but were welcomed by most locals and built their own community.

"It's also been brilliant talking to people who remember the prisoners working on their parents' farms."

While in Germany, they visited the camp interpreter and a leading member of the theatre group in Hamburg then travelled to Frankfurt to meet the master baker.

Mr McLeod said they wanted to meet the people who were at the heart of the camp because they wanted to keep it as authentic as possible.

Mrs McCleod said: "The trip was wonderful, it was brilliant to meet men who stayed at the camp and we've made some great contacts."

The couple hope to open parts of the attraction, such as a caf and garden shop, as early as next Easter.

English Heritage hopes to add the camp, on the road west from Crook to Wolsingham, to an exclusive list of scheduled monuments.

Anyone with information on the camp can contact Mr and Mrs McLeod on (01388) 767098.