MEMBERS of a group for older people have designed a time capsule to go into a housing development in Darlington.

People from the Growing Older Living in Darlington (Gold) group went to the South West Durham Training Centre in Newton Aycliffe to watch the capsule being put together.

Hanover Housing and Darlington Borough Council asked Gold's housing and practical services task group to think up a name for an extra-care housing development in Yarm Road.

Several ideas were suggested before the group settled on Mayflower Court and suggested a sundial, seats and flower beds should be incorporated outside the building.

The task group, which has 15 members, were also asked to decide what items should be put inside a time capsule, made by South West Durham Training, to be placed in the floor of the reception area.

Lesley Compson, community development worker for Gold, said: "We are putting in a potted history of Darlington, which includes the colourful characters who make Darlington what it is.

"There is going to be a history of South West Durham Training, a list of who has been involved in the task group and photographic evidence of the building work.

"We are also going to have coins of the realm, a copy of The Northern Echo and a current day price list of a typical shopping basket from Morrisons."

The capsule will be buried in the building some time before it opens early next year. It will not be opened for 100 years.