AN OVERWHELMING community spirit has attracted people from all over the world to a village reunion.

People are flocking to the small County Durham village of Witton Park from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, America, Holland, Belgium and Zambia on July 22.

Former resident of the village Dale Daniel organised the event and announced it over the Internet. But he was not prepared for the response he received.

"I think I've created a monster. People are going to be coming from all over the world and I think every county in England will be represented.

"They will be stopping at my house, friends' houses, hotels and B&Bs, and will be bringing their children and grandchildren.

"There's a big community spirit out here. People just want to come home."

Many families had to leave the village several decades ago after a controversial directive, Category D, put a block on development in Witton Park and many dilapidated homes were bulldozed, with residents rehoused in Bishop Auckland.

Mr Daniel said: "Before what we call the holocaust there were 850 houses here, which was reduced to 88.

"People were scattered all over the area. But the spirit of Witton Park people seems to live on."

On the special day there will be archive television footage and an exhibition of Witton Park in the village hall and six computers will show more than 1,400 images relating to Witton Park.

St Paul's Church and St Chads School will be open during the afternoon and refreshments served in the village hall.

For further information contact Dale Daniel on (01388) 606543.