TEESDALE residents are expected to flock to the first exhibition of old photographs of the area spanning more than 100 years tomorrow (January 31).

Thousands of photographs are on display at Montalbo Primary School, Fairfield Road, Barnard Castle, where pupils and parents got their first glimpse today (January 30).

The exhibition, featuring the work of local photographer Parkin Raine, has been organised by town councillor Gary Marshall as a thank you to Mr Raine, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

The community event is the first of its kind for the town after the photographs gained worldwide recognition on the Facebook page Ye Old Teesdale Tale and Pictures.

Cllr Marshall said the exhibition was a “thank you from the town” because Mr Raine had “given the town its pride back”.

The free event will be open from 10.30am to 5pm and is available to all.

A projector screen and computers will be available to view the whole archive as well as tea and coffee being available.

“Hopefully it’s the first exhibition of many for the community,” Cllr Marshall said.

“We are inviting people to come along with their stories about Barnard Castle’s history so we can record them.”

Cllr Marshall said the photographs would remain in the school after the exhibition so teachers could use them as teaching aids.

Deputy headteacher, Chris Minikin, said: “As the school and children are interested in our past, and we know local people are too, an exhibition inviting locals was a way to help celebrate Parkin’s work.

“Montalbo School is passionate about Teesdale, heritage and being part of the community.”