A GHOST has helped provide accurate details for a sculpture recalling two tragic young lovers.

The work will recall the stories of Rodger Wrightson and Martha Railton, who died within hours of each other after they were prevented from seeing each other.

Rodger and Martha, both aged 20, lived with their families in rival public houses in the village of Bowes, near Barnard Castle, County Durham - he at the King's Head, which was demolished years ago, and she at the George, now the Ancient Unicorn.

They became sweethearts but Rodger's parents refused to let Martha into their home and tried to stop him from seeing her.

When he fell ill with a fever, she sent him an orange, but his parents returned it.

Rodger died on March 15, 1714. His dying words were said to be "Martha, Martha, come away".

When the parish bells tolled his death, she cried "Oh, he's dead. I cannot live". She died three hours later of a broken heart.

His parents relented so the couple could be buried together close to the bell tower of St Giles Parish Church. Their joint gravestone has been worn away so only a few words on it can now be read.

But Bowes Parish Council has commissioned local artist John Degnan to make a sculpture depicting the couple, and giving a summary of their tragedy.

It will be put up beside the gravestone when completed in the spring.

Mr Degnan started by drawing the couple with the help of Linda Birkett, landlady of the Ancient Unicorn, who said she has seen Martha's ghost there many times.

She said: "She is tall and slim, pretty with light brown hair tied up on top. She wears a green velvet dress at times, and a white one with peach ribbons at other times.

"She often appears and smiles at me. Sometimes she moves furniture around in a room.

"Other times, she turns on taps or switches on lights. I am not frightened of her at all."

Her description of the ghost helped Mr Degnan to draw Martha holding an orange and weeping, while Rodger is seen floating to heaven.

Mr Degnan said: "It was very helpful to have a vivid description of Martha's ghost as I did some sketches. It made my task much more interesting."

Cliff Brown, a member of Bowes Parish Council, which hopes to get a grant to pay for the sculpture, said, "We feel this is an excellent way of telling a colourful local story."