WITH subjects including pits, pigeons, football and floods, a new book uses 150 old pictures to chart a century of history along a tributary of the River Wear.

Historian Tom Hutchinson has based his latest volume on a 14-mile stretch of the River Gaunless, between Copley and Bishop Auckland.

Now a quiet backwater, its landscape was once dominated by collieries, cokeworks, quarries and railways, which sprang up during the development of industry in the area from the 1850s.

Prosperity was at its height in the early years of the last century, when the area's residents shared a passion for sending postcards, some of which appear in the book.

Mr Hutchinson, who grew up in Bishop Auckland and now lives in Birtley, near Gateshead, collected many of the photographs from people still living in Cockfield, Butterknowle, Woodland, Evenwood, West Auckland and St Helen Auckland.

Most of the photographs are being published for the first time.

He said: "The book looks at the various settlements in the valley and attempts to give a comprehensive view of the place; and, through the school, sport, leisure and work pictures, the life of its people through the decades.

"Readers may find familiar faces of friends and families, or discover themselves in one of the photographs.

"The Gaunless Valley has changed enormously in the past 100 years, but its industrial heritage is remembered, particularly in relation to coal mining and the railways.

"Hopefully, the book provides a lasting reminder of the many changes in the area and reflects the rich heritage of the local communities."

The Gaunless Valley is published by The People's History, of Seaham, and costs £7.50.