A PUB landlord will serve a free slap-up meal to a local man who helped him trace the history of the community it serves.

Bob Middlemiss, landlord of the Church Mouse pub, Front Street, Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, which officially opens later this month, wanted to find out about the history of the surrounding area.

An appeal for information saw several residents contact the pub's owner, Vintage Inns, but one man in particular came forward with historical information and photographs.

Neil Coal, a Chester-le-Street District Council worker, helped to put together a picture of the community the pub serves.

Mr Middlemiss said yesterday: "The building has only been around for four or five years so we were eager to find any interesting information related to the area.

"I was delighted to hear from so many people with stories about the area's long and fascinating history, including Neil, who had obviously carried out a great deal of research.

"Thanks to all the information we received, we now know that Chester Moor was once an old mining village and was home to workers at the Chester South Moor Colliery.

"The mine opened in 1889, providing more than 3,000 men and boys with employment over the years until its closure in 1960.

"There has been a lot of interest in the Church Mouse and we are expecting to be very busy when we open."

Staff will bury a time capsule for future generations to uncover at the pub when it opens on July 31.