GREEN enthusiasts are appealing for photographs and memories of a long-lost curling pond at the heart of their nature reserve.

It is thought curling matches were staged when a pond in what is now Flass Vale nature reserve, Durham froze during winter around the turn of the last century.

The Friends of Flass Vale have discovered curling stones and the remains of a sluice gate used to force the Flass Burn to flood the area.

The Friends hope to further excavate the area and install an information board celebrating the sporting history.

They want to hear from anyone who remembers or has heard of curling matches in the Vale or has relevant photographs.

Chairman Val Standen said: “If anyone remembers this it would be great to have any information. We don’t know when it was last used.”

Anyone with information or photographs can email diandphil2@btinternet.com or call 0191-386-9091.