AN exhibition said to be one of the most important displays of pictures and paintings of Durham City has opened.

More than 150 images ranging from original 18th Century drawings of Durham Market Place to pictures of the Durham Miners Gala in the 1950s are on display.

Work by such artists as G H Adcock, Daniel King and T H Findley has been collated by Durham University and is being shown for the first time at Grey College in South Road.

The pictures were collected by the late Colin Higgins , a cathedral steward for more than 30 years, who died last year aged 55.

He collected monochrome and colour images of Durham dating from the 17th Century in a variety of media.

Organiser Henry Dyson, a Fellow of Grey College, said: "After his death, Durham University bought this remarkable collection for public display and enjoyment.

"It comprises nearly three hundred works, each of interest but collectively quite unique. This particular exhibition will be the first showing of many of its important works."

Mr Dyson added: "The 17th Century woodblock prints by Daniel King shows the cathedral with its original spires while there are images of St Oswald’s and Durham Cathedral circa 1800, the Palace Green in 1860 and a photograph of the pit head on what is now the science site of Durham University.’’ The exhibition opened on Saturday (November 7) and runs until Sunday November 22.

People can see the exhibition from 10am to 6pm at weekends but weekday visits are by appointment only and anyone wanting a viewing must call Joyce Dover on 0191-334 5638 first.