A FASCINATING insight into the world of census-taking in the 1800s has gone on show at one of the North-East's smallest museums.

It has taken retired doctor John Backhouse ten years to put together six volumes of the censuses covering Weardale, in County Durham, dating back to 1831.

They represent a remarkable record of population changes, industrial decline and the emergence of towns, in the dale.

The censuses, which cover more than 50,000 people, are on show today at the Weardale Museum in Ireshopeburn

Dr Backhouse said the 1831 census showed Weardale had a population of 9,000, with most living in the upper dale.

"Enumerators, who were more than often school teachers, were employed to deal with their own patch.

"They frequently found little cottages crammed with people, which included a lodger or two," said Dr Backhouse.

"The visits were conducted at night. There was often some doubt over how many people were actually in the house - and those who shouldn't be there."

Dr Backhouse said the dale's population peaked at about 10,000 in 1871 when quarries provided an increasing number of jobs. He said: "I got hooked on documenting the censuses ten years ago when I retired.

"They have certainly thrown up many interesting facts about life in the dale."

Apart from a 100-year-old Weardale kitchen, a large collection of local minerals, models tracing the history of the railways and mines, the Weardale Museum boasts a Wesley room full of Methodist memorabilia.

* The Weardale Museum and High House Chapel on the A689 at Ireshopeburn is open to the public today from 2pm to 5pm, admission £1, ahead of full opening from May.

Car parking is available at the Weardale Inn. For details call Jean Proud, on (01388) 537417, or David Heatherington on (01388) 517433, e-mail dtheatheringtono dual-Classic win