TWO diaries revealing details about life in a North East town in the 19th Century have gone on display at a museum.

The diaries, dating from 1859 and 1861, have been bought for the Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum by the Friends of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum.

Written by Robert Robinson, the diaries reveal details about life in Darlington in the mid 19th Century and about railway projects being undertaken in the region at that time.

Mr Robinson was an engineer who worked for the Stockton and Darlington Railway and married into the Pease family. He owned an office close to North Road Station and worked on railway projects in the North Eastern Railway region.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet member for leisure at Darlington Borough Council, said “Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Museum we have been able to acquire these fascinating diaries.

“The detailed information about day to day life in Darlington, including what Robinson was reading and how much he was being charged for his groceries, makes interesting reading.

“This, coupled with the information relating to the railway projects he was assisting with, makes this acquisition an invaluable resource for those interested in local and railway history.”