CAMPAIGNERS calling for the legacy of a popular regiment to be done ‘full justice’ in a new exhibition have urged people to let their views be known.

The Faithful Durham, who fought against the closure of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum at Aykley Heads in March 2016, spoke out as Durham County Council holds a third round of consultation, asking people their views on a planned Durham History Centre.

Permission has been granted to bring together archive, heritage and registration services for the county at Mount Oswald Manor House.

The DLI Museum, which housed historic uniforms, firearms, medals from the regiment, was closed despite opposition, with most of the collection taken to a specialist facility in Spennymoor.

Campaigners say they were told that while the collection would be brought together at the Durham History Centre, it would be mainly in storage, with only a few cabinets dedicated the the DLI on a rotary basis.

Faithful Durham secretary Diane Inglis said: “This is an ideal opportunity to do the DLI’s legacy full justice and make sure the collection is not merely kept in storage. It must be a substantial display and they need to make the most of it the space. We want people to have a look at the plans and make their views known."

Mrs Inglis said a Freedom of Information request revealed fewer than 1,000 people had been to visit the collection in Spennymoor since the museum closed, while only 68 people had been to see the medals at Durham University. This compared to a footfall of about 38,000 at the DLI Museum.

Alison Clark, the head of culture and tourism at Durham County Council, said: “The Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Collection is a treasured part of County Durham’s heritage and the new history centre at Mount Oswald will bring together the DLI Collection, currently at Spennymoor, with the archives, which are currently in the care of Durham County Record Office, for the first time since the 1990s.

“It will also offer exhibition space to tell the story of County Durham’s history, including the DLI as a key part of this, with a programme of exhibitions, activities, events and outreach county-wide.

"Plans for the centre are still being developed based on previous public consultation, and, following planning approval last month, we have launched a further consultation to encourage people to share ideas to help shape the centre’s exhibitions and events programme.

"Comments can be made online at www.durham.gov.uk/consultations until 5pm on Sunday October 25 and I would encourage people to get involved.”