Dearham's history will be on display next week.

Photographs, articles and memorabilia of all aspects of village life have been gathered for an exhibition at the Methodist chapel.

It has been organised by the church's events committee to encourage people to visit the chapel, to raise money and to show something of the development of the village through history.

Jean Waite, of the committee, said there were so many new people in Dearham now.

She added: "I am sure many have never visited the chapel. We would love them to come and see and also to learn something about the village they have chosen as home."

She said the event would also be a trip down memory lane for older residents.

Kathleen Speck who, with the Rev Richard Skinner, Dorothy Hodgson and Linda McDonald, is also on the committee, said the organisers were grateful to the many people and organisations who made the display possible.

In some cases new photos will be displayed alongside old to show the differences that have occurred over the years.

The display will take in farming, the pits, businesses, the school, Dearham Band, the churches and more.

Among the photographs is a newspaper cutting of the 1953 women's rugby league team, the Dearham Amazons, believed to be the first female team in Cumberland.

The exhibition runs from next Thursday, June 16, to Saturday, June 18.

It runs from 11am to 4pm each day and admission is free.

Refreshments are available to buy and donations would be welcomed.