Aerial photos from 1945 compared to 2023 are showing the extent to which the North East has changed in 78 years - take a look at your area below.

Have you ever wondered what Darlington and County Durham looked like during the second world war? Google Earth photos that were taken from that time show how the region has changed.

Whether it's new housing developments or ring roads, shopping centres and industrial estates, there are certainly some noticeable differences that you can pick out by using our handy sliders.

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Here are some photos of areas around Darlington and County Durham from 1945 compared to now.
Make sure to move the slider on each image so you can see each photo fully.
What is the biggest difference you can see?

Darlington

Perhaps one of the most noticeable differences with Darlington is the development of the outskirts of the town.

Close to Eastbourne, a large industrial estate has taken over what used to be fields, which now houses a Premier Inn, Travelodge and Morrisons amongst other retailers.

To the west of the town, Mowden has dramatically transformed from what appears to have been farmland to a cluster of housing estates.

Durham

Durham City has seen a striking transformation when we compare its current look to what it was like in 1945.

What was formerly grassland has been developed heading north up the River Wear, with the riverside now being a bustling nighttime destination that includes a cinema as well as several bars and restaurants.

Gilesgate Moor and Dragonville have endured a huge transformation, with much of the area now home to housing estates and the Dragonville Retail Park.

However, several areas are still fairly rural when compared to 1945, including Bearpark and Broompark to the west of the city.

Sedgefield

Sedgefield is unrecognisable when compared to what it looked like in 1945.

What used to be farmland and fields as far as the eye can see is now a fully developed town, complete with new motorways and an industrial estate.

Housing has particularly stemmed out of Durham Road, which is the main road that leads through the centre of the town.

Stanley

Stanley is another example of mass housing development, with multiple estates springing up in the South East area of the town as you head to The Middles.

Areas including Harperley, Fernwood and No Place appear to have remained the same.

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Consett

Similar to Sedgefield, Consett has seen a boom in housing. However, interesting differences here show that some of those estates are already being developed.

Bridgehill to the North West of the centre is an example of this, with half of the estate already having been built at the time of that photograph.

Templetown, Delves and Delves Lane show the same level of development, as you can see some of the houses had already been built and marked out.