AN exhibition centring on the North-East's historic railway heritage was opened by MP Alan Milburn yesterday.

The temporary exhibition is expected to boost visitor numbers at Darlington's Railway Museum this year.

Dozens of former employees at the North Road Locomotive Works attended the ceremony.

Mr Milburn said: "I'm sure many people will enjoy the exhibition. The works are etched in the memory of hundreds of local people. "

The collection outlines the history of the locomotive works, on a site now occupied by the Morrisons superstore, in North Road, and includes photographs, maps, plans and artefacts.

Mr Milburn said: "The works dominated the town and put Darlington on the international map, enabling the town to claim its place as the home of the railways."

Darlington Borough Council's acting heritage manager John Wilks said the display was a great achievement.

He said: "The locomotive works were the lifeblood of Darlington. I'm very proud of the exhibition. We've put a lot of work in and I'm hoping it will attract more visitors."

The works were closed in 1966 after more than 2,700 locomotives had rolled off the production line. In its heyday, it employed more than 3,000 people and many of the exhibits have been loaned by former workers.

Terry Stacey was an apprentice turner from 1961-64.

"I worked in the shells shop, which got its name when the factory was used to make munitions during the Second World War," he said.

"As well as the steam engines we also made household items. It was one of the perks of the job, as I always made extra ones and gave them to friends and family."

The exhibition runs until November 10.