A NEW exhibition on Chester-le-Street in the late 19th Century will paint a picture of a cosmopolitan town bustling with life.

Based on the 1891 census, the display reveals a town enjoying a boom time of clubs and societies, and an influx of visitors, many of whom were navvies, from all over the world.

Labourers from the West Indies, Australia and Constantinople (now Istanbul) lodged all over the town - at one time, one couple had 45 lodgers staying in their house.

According to Audrey Watson, a member of Chester-le-Street Heritage Group, which put together the exhibition, the town was a more interesting place to live in during Victorian times.

She said: "I think Chester-le-Street was a better place to live in 1891 than it is now, both from an architectural and an activity point of view.

"It was full of little squares and yards which gave the place some real character, and every church and club had loads of things going on. There were rowing clubs, rifle clubs, dance halls, you name it. It seemed to be a very bustling place.

"It was also quite cosmopolitan in some ways. There was an influx of people from all over the country - in fact, from all over the world."

The exhibition, called Chester-le-Street in 1891, is on show at the town's main library in Front Street from this Monday until Saturday.

The Heritage Group was formed nearly 20 years ago to publish research, based on the 1851 census, by a small group of enthusiasts, and last February the group was re-formed to start organising the new exhibition.

More details about the display are available from Audrey Watson, on 0191-388 3116, or Edna Stoker, on 0191-388 9380.