AN appeal to restore a union banner to its former glory has been launched by a community group.

Members of The Auckland Railways Community Group are trying to raise £3,000 to recondition the Shildon Waggon Works Union banner.

The banner was made in 1919 and used to be used in union marches but since a new one was made to replace it in the 1980s, it fell into disrepair.

Group member, Michael O'Neill, has researched the banner and said it was of historical importance.

He said: "It's the original one from 1919 and shows the Shildon Waggon Works in all its glory.

"Full restoration would cost £6,000 but we want to stabilise it and get ity in a good enough condition to show it which would be about £3,000."

Mr O'Neill said the group was given the banner in 2015 but had been unable to do anything with it so far with a lack of funding.

"It's time to do something and I feel guilty it's just been in a box - it needs to be back out in the public," the 43-year-old said. "We have no idea how we are going to raise the money.

"I have spoken to a few councillors about it but never got anywhere."

The banner measures approximately 10ft by 8ft and is made from silk with oil painting on top.

On one side, the waggon works are painted with the year 1919 and on the other is the word 'progress' with a steam locomotion and coal truck from the early 1800s as well as a 'modern' one from 1919.

"Shildon was the heart of the railways and where it all came from but it is heavily overlooked," Mr O'Neill said. "As a group, we try to keep the Bishop Auckland heritage alive and the railways - we set up a heritage rail trail in 2017."

Mr O'Neill said members were all volunteers and would welcome any donations or help with ideas on how to raise funds.

To help call him on 07572869716.