KEEPERS of the rich vein of archives stored at Durham's county record office are to receive a helping hand from a new source.

A fledgling "friends' group" was launched at the weekend to support the work of county archivist Jennifer Gill, and staff, who compile and log thousands of documents dating back to medieval times at the County Hall record office.

The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Durham County Record Office (Fodcro) was staged at County Hall, on Saturday. A steering committee outlined the aims, objectives and enrolment details of Fodcro, while the first enthusiastic members signed up to support the cause.

Expressions of interest came from far and wide before the meeting, including a completed application form sent from a County Durham exile in Australia.

Andrew Fletcher, secretary of the steering committee, said Fodcro's stated aim is to "assist and support the record office in several key areas, working in full cooperation with the county archivist".

Membership forms are available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Mr Fletcher, 20 Fenton Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH4 7AZ.