A HERITAGE project is launching in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first rail passenger journey on the Darlington and Stockton Railway.

Residents of the town near the original railway track including Red Hall, Middleton St George and North Road are being given the opportunity to get involved in historical activities and events, linking schools and communities.

They are also being given the chance to take part in a art project funded by the scheme.

An artist is being appointed to create a piece in celebration of rail history in the town. The piece is hoping to build on the heritage of the 1825 Stockton and Darlington train track.

The community are invited from June 20 until June 29 to share their opinions and see proposals from shortlisted artists at a number of venues including, Head of Steam on North Road, Red Hall Primary School and the Corporation Road School.

The final selection of the artist will take place in July who will deliver the project in September.

Helen Towes, project officer at Groundwork NE & Cumbria said: “We are very excited about this new project. We hope it will bring together schools and communities in celebration of the town’s heritage and Darlington and Stockton Railway.”

Funding for the project has been granted by the National Lottery from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.

To find out more visit Hertiage on Track on Facebook or search @HertiageonTrack on Twitter.