LOCAL history enthusiasts are being invited to delve into the thousands of records and documents stored in the archives.

To mark national Explore Your Archives week, which runs until Sunday, Durham County Record Office is encouraging visitors to research its documents.

The archives held by the record office occupy five miles of shelving and span almost 900 years, relating to the historic County of Durham which covered the area between the Tyne and the Tees.

Cllr Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for tourism, culture, leisure and rural issues, said: “Archives are our collective memory, offering a written record of people’s day to day lives.

“They provide unique access to our past but are also of huge relevance today”.

County archivist Liz Bregazzi added: “People would be amazed by the breadth of enquiries the record office receives on a daily basis.

“The documents we hold can help people establish rights of way, prove their citizenship and even secure a school place”.

For more information, visit durhamrecordoffice.org.uk or call 3000 267 619.