AN arts festival is to be held to celebrate the history and community spirit of a Wear Valley housing estate.

Despite being in one of the most deprived wards in the county, Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, is home to a loyal and supportive community.

In recognition of its strengths and to mark the 50th anniversary of the first house being built, the town will host an arts festival from October 24 to 29.

Organisers hope events will reflect the community spirit and resilience found on the estate and celebrate the good work by residents to make it a better place to live.

The festival will be officially launched by Terry Deary, author of the Horrible History book series, at Woodhouse Close library on Saturday, October 22.

An exhibition demonstrating residents' contributions to their neighbourhood will be displayed at the Discovery Centre, in Bishop Auckland Market Place, for the week.

Venues within the Woodhouse Close Estate will host craft sessions, music and drumming workshops, digital art and willow sculpture workshops and show a number of short films produced by residents.

Woodhouse Arts Support Programme Youth Theatre will perform a show at the Eden Theatre, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Wednesday, October 26.