A FAMILY'S paintings give fascinating glimpse of North-East countryside over 200 years has been loaned to the County Durham Record Office.

Almost 400 spectacular artworks, mainly by solicitor William Watson senior, barrister Innes Watson and Durham Light Infantry commander William Innes Watson, chart life in Teesdale from the early 1800s to the 1980s, as well as family interests and travels.

Principal archivist Gill Parkes said: “The Watsons lived in Spring Lodge, opposite the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, and we already hold the archives of the family, their solicitors’ practice, and the military records of William Innes Watson and his father who served as colonels in the DLI.

“Several generations of the family were keen artists and this art collection includes many early watercolour views of Teesdale that pre-date the age of photography, giving a fascinating insight into the landscape that also inspired Sir Walter Scott, JMW Turner and John Sells Cotman."

The Watsons had a solicitor's practice in Barnard Castle from 1817 to 1985.

It was founded by William Watson senior (1794-1883), who built the family’s home in the Newgate area of the town in the mid-1820s.

Many of the family played a very active role in the social, political and cultural life of the South West Durham town.

Now that the 388 pieces of art are being preserved in Durham County Record Office staff and volunteers will catalogue and digitise the collection, but that will take some time.

Gill said: “People won’t be able to access the collection straight away, but by next year we would hope to have all the information and images available through our online catalogue.

“We would also like to, in the future, be able, to let people enjoy the artwork for themselves and work is already underway to explore the possibility of a high quality digital exhibition.”

For more information about Durham County Record Office or to search its catalogue of tens of thousands of records, visit www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk.