A RESTORED blacksmith shop is opening its doors to the public this weekend.

Hetton Smithy in Hetton-le-Hole, on Wearside, will stage the event from 10am to 2pm on Saturday March 7.

Owner John Guy has worked at the smithy all his life but the recent restoration of the building allowed him to host his first public demonstrations in 2014.

The sessions proved so popular that Mr Guy is now planning on holding them every month.

The single storey, one-roomed smithy is one of the oldest buildings in Hetton-le-Hole and goes back to the time when the area was a tranquil agricultural settlement.

It was restored in 2013 thanks to the Limestone Landscapes Partnership and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Durham County Council, which hosts the Limestone Landscapes Partnership, appointed Beaumont Brown Architects and Classic Masonry to bring the building back to its former glory.

Anyone is welcome to attend the open day and watch Mr Guy demonstrate his traditional blacksmith skills. He’ll also be chatting about his work and the history of this building.

Open days will take place on the first Saturday of the month throughout 2015, from 10am to 2pm.