A NEW app will showcase the sites and stories of Seaham to visitors.

Durham County Council have commissioned heritage app specialists At Creative to produce a smartphone app, aimed at encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore the history and heritage of Seaham.

The app will be developed as part of the Seaham Townscape Heritage Project, a £1.6m scheme – supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – aimed at enhancing Seaham’s historic town centre.

It will allow users to explore the heritage of the town in an engaging and interactive way by offering different trails to follow around the town. It will also tell the story of buildings and sites of interest in Seaham and their role in the development of the town and also provide the opportunity to promote activities and events.

The project team are now working alongside residents and representatives from local history organisation to develop the app content. The app will be free for both Android and Apple devices and will be launched later this year.

Councillor Kevin Shaw, county council’s cabinet member for strategic housing and assets said “Encouraging an understanding and appreciation for Seaham’s built heritage, right from a young age, is one of the key aims of the Townscape Heritage Project — these are hugely important factors in the long-term success of conservation of our townscapes.

“Our hope is that local people and visitors will embrace the app and make use of it to access stories and information about our unique town.”

For more information visit https://www.durham.gov.uk/seahamtownscape.