A book celebrating the history of a County Durham market town has been published.

Memories of Wolsingham, published by County Durham Books, the publishing arm of Durham County Council, charts the town's heritage in more than 50 photographs.

Pictures from the past include cricket and football teams, steel workers and street parties, as well as views of Holywood Hall and the sanatorium, the former Grey Bull pub that was demolished and rebuilt further back from the road and St Mary's - later St Anne's - convent.

Wolsingham Library staff worked with people in the local community to bring together images for the book.

Carol Smith, marketing manager for the county council's culture and leisure service, said: "We put posters up in Wolsingham asking people if they had photographs they would like to be considered for the book and literally hundreds came in.

"It was a tremendous response and quite a task narrowing them down to the 57 we needed."

In a foreword to the book, local poet and chairman of the parish council John Anderson says Wolsingham captivated him when he moved to Holbeck Mill from further up the dale in 1948.

"It may not be many more years before those of us who can remember Holbeck Mill will no longer be here to pass on information about it," he said. "The only visual record will be a photographic one.

"This is just one instance in fairly recent times where a photograph is essential to maintain the continuity of Wolsingham's history."

Memories of Wolsingham is published by County Durham Books and is available from local bookshops, priced at £3.50.