STORIES about the people and communities of south west Durham will be shared through a community opera project.

Opera North has been commissioned to create an hour-long production with local people singing and performing alongside professional soloists and its internationally-renowned chorus.

The new opera – yet to be named – will be performed in May 2020, in the main exhibition hall at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

To get writing started, initial community workshops were held early this year in Barnard Castle, Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland, Wolsingham, St John’s Chapel, Crook, Willington and Shildon.

Around 100 residents took part in singing, movement and story-telling sessions to help opera professionals understand the heritage and character of the area and residents' hopes and dreams.

Acclaimed composer Will Todd– who with poet Tony Walsh and director Caroline Clegg make up the creative team– will return to the county on Sunday, June 16 so participants can gather to learn and informally perform the eight songs created.

The free session is open to anyone who wants to join the singalong or find out about the opera, even if they weren't at the first workshops. Rehearsal will be at Greenfield Community School, Shildon, from 11.30 am, and the performance will be at Locomotion at 2.30 pm. It is free but booking is essential at eventbrite.co.uk or contact Northern Heartlands on 01833-200220 or info@northernheartlands.org

Participants should take a packed lunch.

The project is funded by Northern Heartlands, the Durham Great Place Scheme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.