COUNCIL buildings can often be dreary, mundane places where unglamorous issues like development plans and taxes are discussed. But the small, wood panelled rooms where Durham City councillors meet are lined with historical portraits, swords and antique furniture that has been used by Durham's local authorities for well over four centuries.

Later this month the public can tour Durham Town Hall as part of the Civic Trust's Heritage Open Days, when places normally closed to the public can be seen up close.

The building dates back to 1356 when Durham was the region's centre of power and is largely used for the same purpose it was built for, such as the 16th century mayoral chamber where many council committees still meet.

Town hall janitor Arthur Walker is a mine of information when it comes to the history of the hall. He explains how an ornately carved Jacobean fireplace that takes up one wall came from a pub in the city and behind the chairman's seat is a tunnel leading up to the castle, created as an emergency escape route in case of any invasions from the Scots.

Parchments and letters from the king were discovered in the tunnel, which is now boarded up for safety reasons. Gold portcullises decorating the walls signify that the hall was once a seat of government, when the powerful Prince Bishops had the means to create laws. Durham Town Hall is one of only five to ten buildings in the country to be granted the royal seals.

Senior Conservation Officer for the City of Durham, Chris Fish said: "The really nice thing about this room is it's still used for the purpose it was built for. It's been used more or less in this form since 1650."

The part of the town hall most people see is the grand hall, which looks to be the oldest part of the building, but it was built in Victorian times by William Henderson to resemble a medieval banqueting hall.

The ornate hammer beam roof is exactly the same as Westminster Hall in London and plaques and stained glass windows commemorate the great and the good who helped shape Durham.

Virtually all the major events that shaped Durham were witnessed in the town hall and to find out more, tours will be taking place tomorrow at midday, 1pm and 2pm and on Monday, September 16, at 1pm and 2pm. Book through the tourist information centre on 0191-384 3720.