A HISTORIAN is turning his back on death and disease, in favour of poetry.

For 15 years, David Butler has led Christmas Day walks around Durham City, focusing on dirt, disease and disaster in the city.

But this year, Mr Butler, a retired archivist, will read poems during his guided walk around the riverbanks.

He said: "I thought we'd do something a bit different - something which wasn't death and disaster."

Mr Butler's Christmas Day afternoon walks have proved popular, with at least 25 people joining him every year.

He said: "I think people are looking for something to do on Christmas Day - it gives them an excuse to get out.

"We've never had fewer than 25, and some years we've had some really terrible weather.

"This year we're going to walk round the riverbanks and I'm going to read some poems."

The walk begins at the Londonderry Statue, in the Market Place, at 2pm. It will be about two-and-a-half miles long, and last two hours.

The guided walk costs £2.50. Under-fives go free.

Family tickets are available, priced £7. Walkers can pay when they arrive.