PHOTOGRAPHS have been taken of all the 650 properties in a village as part of a survey which will detail the community's history.

The study, carried out over two years as a project to mark the Queen's golden jubilee in Middleton-in-Teesdale, is ready for public viewing.

It will be unveiled at an open evening in Middleton Village Hall on Thursday, July 31, at 7.30pm, and will be on display for four days.

The full archive will then be stored so that it will be available for historians and anyone interested in local events to view in future years.

Joyce Jackson, co-ordinator of the project, said: "A great deal of work has gone into it, but I am sure it is worthwhile and will give many people a lot of pleasure."

Grants were given by the Northern Rock Foundation, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Teesdale District Council to pay for the work.

Twelve villagers formed a study team and got help from various sources, including the village school and mental health group.

Mrs Jackson said: "We took pictures of all the 650 properties inside the 30mph limits, and showed which era they were built in as we could not give the exact dates.

"We also pinpointed the change in styles that have taken place over the decades, such as the introduction of uPVC windows and the start of central heating doing away with the need for chimneys."

A book and compact disc have been produced in small numbers for the project.

A website has also been set up for a year to give details about it.

Middleton Silver Band will play at the open evening.