A PIECE of East Durham's farming history is being given a new lease of life.

An 18th Century barn at Beacon House Farm, Beacon Hill, Easington, is being restored to its former glory by the Turning The Tide project.

When the work is finished the building will be used as an information centre, serving visitors to the area.

It is considered a fine example of the sort of farm buildings that were common in the area some 300 years ago.

The restoration scheme is being carried out in partnership with the National Trust.

National Trust archaeologist Harry Beamish said: "The barn was built from local materials and still appears to have the original roof in place.

"This rescue venture had come just in time because it has been deteriorating over the last decade."

Archaeologists also found evidence of medieval ploughing methods, stockyards and old field boundaries on the land around the barn.

Turning The Tide will put up interpretative boards inside the barn explaining these features as well as a depiction of the barn's original construction.

Turning The Tide is erasing the legacy of mining from the east Durham coast.

The £10m scheme, which involves 14 organisations, has been given £4.5m from the National Lottery to clean up the coastline and regenerate the area