A TWO-year project recording life in a Darlington church in the 20th Century starts this week.

St Cuthbert's Church, in the town's Market Place, is holding an exhibition from Friday, until September.

This first part of the story covers from the last years of Queen Victoria's reign to 1947, and has a host of tales to tell.

It will feature details of a parishioner who sold his land for five shillings to help improve the view of the church, and the shelter given to soldiers and refugees during the war.

There will be coverage of the parish's star footballing priest, whose story is told in a display at the launch tomorrow night, from 7.30pm.

Canon William Jordan was at St Cuthbert's from 1935 to 1943, and was an amateur footballer who played at international level, and for West Bromwich Albion.

The church will be open to visitors from Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.

Next year will see an exhibition on the second part of the century.