MEMBERS of the Bowes family, who hail from a former County Durham pit village, staged a reunion at the weekend.

The event attracted dozens of cousins and relatives from throughout the country, and the United States.

Mary Burnham, whose grandfather Ralph Bowes, of Coxhoe near Durham City, died in the First World War, said: "There were three of us cousins who found we were only seeing each other on sad occasions, such as funerals.

"We decided we wanted to see each other in happy times as well and set about organising for all Bowes family members who hail from Coxhoe to get together."

A network had always been maintained between various members of the Bowes family and flyers and invitations attracted about 80 people, including spouses and friends.

One cousin, Professor George Bowes, flew in from the United States to join the gathering in the Coxhoe Club, where the family enjoyed 12 hours together on Saturday.

There were games and entertainment for the children, while other family members pored through photograph albums, showed each other family memorabilia and re-forged old ties. Sunday morning service at the village's St Andrew' Church was dedicated to them.

Mrs Burnham, of Sedgefield, south Durham, said: "It was fantastic. We will be making this an annual event."