A SCHOOL in Barnard Castle will take a step back in time on Friday, when it hosts an authentic street party.

Pupils at St Mary's RC School are hoping to use the event to gather information and memories about the Second World War for a school project.

Residents of nearby Stainton Grove and neighbours of the school have been invited to the party to help make the event as real as possible.

The information gathered will go towards the Heritage Lotteryfunded Memories of Stainton Grove project, led by Stainton Grove Community Association.

The year-long project, due to be completed in September, aims to interpret the history of Stainton Grove Military Camp by installing permanent information panels around the village.

The research St Mary's School has carried out will go towards producing one of the panels entitled, Life on the Home Front.

Headteacher Liz Heffernan said: "The children are very enthusiastic about this topic. They have been involving family and friends and have brought in many artefacts. They have made identity cards, ration books, propaganda posters and models of army camps and Anderson shelters.

These will all be on show on the day of the street party."