A PIT village's historic banner has inspired a drive to encourage kind acts which will be celebrated in a "living art" in the heart of the community.

The surviving fragment of Trimdon Colliery's banner may be 126 years old but its depiction of the Good Samaritan has helped breathe life into a new and long-lasting project.

This week saw the unveiling of a metal 'Samaritan Tree' commissioned by Trimdon Foundry Parish Council with the aim to recognise people who do good deeds in the village.

As well as a nod to the village's industrial past, the tree is designed to have leaves bearing the names of Good Samaritans added to its branches.

Council chairman, Cllr Carole Bell, said: "The tree isn't finished because the principle behind it is that Good Samaritans will be identified and agreed upon by a panel and then that person's name will go on the tree.

"When the leaves are full we will add new branches.

"We want to encourage Good Samaritan acts in the community.

"The fabricated tree is to represent the village and community and as the community develops, grows and improves, so will the tree."

The tree was created by Hunwick-based artist Graeme Hopper and is located opposite Trimdon Colliery Methodist Church.

At the unveiling on Tuesday pupils from Deaf Hill Primary and Nursery School performed a play showing the story of the Good Samaritan in a modern day context.

They were joined at the ceremony by county and parish councillors for the area as well as Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson.

A panel made up of representatives from police, the school, county and parish councils will form and meet for the first time next month.

They will set the rules for the nomination process and will continue to meet every three months to consider the nominees.

Durham County Cllr John Robinson, who has also been behind the project, said: "This is a great way for the community to say thank you to the people who do things above and beyond the norm."

A newspaper cutting records the Trimdon Colliery banner's unfurling in July 1892.

On the front it shows three men in the Trimdon Colliery agent’s office while on the back is the depiction of the Good Samaritan.

Last year the Trimdon Colliery Banner Group fundraised for the creation of a replica banner.

The banner is now on display in Trimdon Colliery and Deaf Hill Working Men's Club and in 2017 made its first appearance in more than 100 years at Durham Miners' Gala.