A TIME capsule containing a letter from the Queen passed through the region yesterday on its tour of the country.

Organised by the Mothers' Union to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the tour started in London on June 7 and will return to the capital on November 7 to the association's headquarters, Mary Sumner House.

After travelling through the Durham Diocese, the capsule arrived in Darlington Market Place at 9.30am, where it was met by the borough's mayor, Councillor Isobel Hartley.

It then moved on to the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough, and then to the York Diocese.

Coun Hartley said: "It was a most imaginative idea to celebrate their anniversary and I was astounded by the number of places visited all around the country.