THE fight of aerial supremacy by brave, young pilots above the Somme battlefields is to be told in Durham next week.

Peter Hart, a historian for the sound archive at the Imperial War Museum in London will appear at Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery on Saturday March 29, to talk about the successful air offensive above the Somme in 1916.

Mr Hart, who was born in Stanhope, Weardale, will use photographs from the museum's collection to illustrate his talk, which starts at 2pm.

He has recorded interviews with hundreds of ex-servicemen from both world wars and used the information for a series of books.

He said: "Their success was down to a combination of good machines and brave - often totally reckless - young men.

"Probably the most famous British flyer above the Somme was Albert Ball, who gained his reputation on aggressive patrols to seek out and destroy German aircraft.

"On one day he flew four patrols and won each battle."

Tickets for the talk are £3.50 with £2.50 concessions, £1.50 for season ticket holders.

They are available in advance with a stamped addressed envelope, or at the door.