LOCAL history enthusiasts can look forward to another trip down memory lane with archivist Michael Richardson.

His ninth book of old pictures, Durham City Remembered, which features 500 illustrations of local life between 1935 and 1960, has just been published.

"A lot of history books on Durham focus on the university and castle, but I like to look more at the events and lives of ordinary people," said Mr Richardson.

"The good thing about it is that all but two of the photographs in the book are available from Beamish Museum if people want copies. The museum has given me a lot of help.''

Durham City Labour MP Gerry Steinberg features twice in the book - in the foreword and in a guise few of his constituents will recognise.

He is included in a line-up of St Margaret's School pupils photographed on the retirement of the infant school headteacher, Margaret Taylor, in the 1950s.

Mr Steinberg said: "I have lived in Durham all my life and most of the photographs, certainly from the 1950s onwards, I am quite familiar with. I think it is the first time I have been featured in one of Michael's books. My mother and father's wedding is also included in it."

The hardback book, which costs £14.99 and is published by Breedon Books, is available in local book stores.

Mr Richardson is holding an exhibition of pictures from the book for the Gilesgate and Pelaw Branch of the Labour Party at Durham City Baptist Church, Sunderland Road, Gilesgate, on Saturday, September 21, between 10am and 4pm.