A DISPLAY exploring the lives of people during the First World War has gone on show.

The exhibition documents a group of Belgian refugees who worked in the munitions factory at Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, at the time.

It has been created by members of the local community with support from Beamish Museum and can be seen at Birtley Library.

Jacki Winstanley, from Beamish Museum, said: "A group has been meeting regularly over the past months to investigate the collections at Beamish Museum relating to the Belgian community and to explore photographs stored at Gateshead Library. "Two of the group members have direct links to the Belgians who lived in Birtley and their stories give a unique insight in to this almost forgotten community." The exhibition will be displayed at Beamish Museum on June 6 and 7. Mrs Winstanley added: "Many of the wonderful items from the Beamish collections will be on view, alongside activities for children to take part in. "The museum and members of the community will be working with local schools in the coming weeks to celebrate the story of the Birtley Belgians and ensure that this fascinating history is not forgotten."