A SPECIAL friendship is set to develop between a group of Americans and people from the North-East.

The County Durham Friendship Force is hosting a group from Mid Willamette Valley in Oregon to build friendships and share experiences.

Friendship Force is a worldwide, non-profit making organisation devoted to bringing peace and understanding to the world though personal contact and shared ideas.

It aims to develop international friendships by visits and learning about others' cultures and customs.

The Mid Willamette Club was voted Club of the Year 2001.

The force was founded by President Jimmy Carter and his family in 1977, and Newcastle became the first UK club after he visited the UK.

There are now more than 20 clubs in the country and members from all over the world will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Newcastle and Devon clubs next year.

Claire Large, of the County Durham club, said: "Our Beamish visit will enable us to show our ambassadors how we present our historical roots.

"We know the day will be a unique opportunity for our American friends to experience many special examples of how life in the North-East was lived."