A WEEK in the lives of elderly people in Teesdale has been recorded for posterity with a series of photographs and items of memorabilia.

The Going to the Centre project invited elderly people in the villages of Toft Hill, Etherley and Evenwood to compile a photographic record of life for the older generation living in the area.

The six-month project was initially met with scepticism by the elderly community, but artists Liz Humphry-Williams and Neil Palliser soon got them involved.

Mr Palliser said: "We gave them each a camera and told them to take pictures of scenes and situations which represent their daily and weekly routines.

"In a way, the outcome was very much like a photographic essay, and although they were not very keen to begin with, they all got involved and are really pleased with the result."

The Going to the Centre exhibition will open to the public tomorrow, at Toft Hill and Etherley Community Centre, and will then tour other places in the dale, including Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle.

As part of the project, the elderly group was asked to create time capsules, featuring objects that are relevant in their lives.

It is hoped that the display will find a permanent home in the community centre and that the time capsules will be opened in 50 years' time.

Mr Palliser said: "The display will hopefully give future generations a taste of life in the dale for elderly people at the start of the 21st Century."