THE region's freemasons have vowed to become more open about their work in the community.

To celebrate the change in style, the ancient and very private society in County Durham has established the first ever Freemasonry In the Community week which starts next week.

At an official launch at headquarters in Sunderland, the deputy provincial grand master of the County Durham province, Charles Marshall, took the opportunity to explode a few misconceptions about freemasonry.

He said that, although members must be asked to join, there is no social or religious bar. He said: "Before the Second World War we were actually very open about what we did in the community but with the possibility of invasion that changed and with good reason. In Jersey and Singapore, which were invaded, freemasons were persecuted. Now we want the community out there to know what we are all about. We are the same as any other society with the exception that we have a very strong moral code for our members."

Events organised by the County Durham province, which uses the old county border from the Tyne to the Tees, range from an archaeological dig to exhibitions, open days and sponsorship for events. There are about 10,000 freemasons in the North-East.