THE birthplace of Bryan Robson, the infamous answer to Peter Lee's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? question and the highest unemployment in County Durham - Chester-le-Street has certainly had a mixed press in recent years.

However, a new book by a local archaeologist is fighting the town's corner and even proclaiming it the ancient capital of the North.

Raymond Selkirk's two-year labour of love, which is called Chester-le-Street And Its Place In History, takes back the town's rich and bloody heritage that had been hijacked by places such as Newcastle and York in more recent times.

Not for Raymond the Chester-le-Street of rising unemployment and commuter stress - his town is an altogether more vibrant place.

It reverberates to the sights and sounds of rough and ready Roman troops, as they "made merry" during their 25-year service.

It recalls Saxon monks spiriting St Cuthbert's body away under the noses of bloodthirsty Viking raiders.

As the former ship's officer and airline pilot explained, the town's past matches any of its more illustrious neighbours.

Vikings, Norsemen, the Middle Ages and modern times are also covered in the 530-page book, which is the first definitive account of the town's history.

It also has exclusive details of six Roman roads bisecting the town and a chapter by local expert Dr John Banham on Coal and Waggonways 1650-1850.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by Chester-le-Street District Council, the book, priced £29.95, is printed by Casdec Limited.

It is expected to be available in March