A DIGITAL record of the wide-ranging culture of County Durham is to be launched soon.

Durham County Council has created an interactive website containing a series of on-line galleries exploring the different cultures in the county and beyond.

People are invited to submit images, artwork and photographs to build up the widest possible picture.

The website - www.world culture2006.co.uk - is the forerunner of a major summer festival celebrating world culture in County Durham.

The Images of Us gallery explores what lies beneath the face of a person and whether we can predict their background and culture from it.

People are invited to send a series of images to the website which portray who they are, where they are from, their favourite object and food and how they get around.

Neil Hillier, the county council's arts development manager, said: "The website will create a visual database of the culture in County Durham and beyond, and is a great way for everyone to get involved in the World Culture festival."

The council is also inviting community groups to get involved in the project and take part in workshops run by professional artists. Any groups interested in a workshop are asked to contact the council's arts development team on 0191-384 2214.

The World Culture festival is supported by Culture 10 and regional development agency One NorthEast and runs from July 22 to September 3.

It will feature exhibitions and activities at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery and performances from a range of artists, storytellers and performance acts from across the world.