BRIDAL gowns spanning the last seven decades were dusted down for use on another big day at the weekend.

A dozen wedding dresses were displayed at Tudhoe Community Centre, near Spennymoor, yesterday, in a charity event to help needy youngsters.

Among the display were three dresses that hold a place in the heart of organiser Peter Campbell, as they were worn by the most important women in his life.

At the centre of the exhibition was a lace dress worn by his wife Anne, on their wedding day at St Charles Church, Tudhoe Village, in 1961.

Either side stood dresses worn by his two daughters- Jaqui in 1985 and Joanne in 1986.

He said: "It was a good event, we've certainly raised more than £100 for Children In Need.

"It has been nice for people to look at how fashion has changed over 70 years and especially nice for me to look at the dresses my wife and girls wore on three of the happiest days of my life."

The dresses were accompanied by a display about wartime weddings, compiled by Linsey Wraith. And patisserie chef Chris Burnett raffled a dark and white Belgian chocolate truffle cake to boost the funds.