A CLUB promoting fellowship and charity support is to be launched in an area of east Durham. Knights of the Golden Horn, dating back to the 17th Century, was a once-thriving organisation in the colliery communities of the North-East.

Many individual groups, or "encampments", as they are known in the movement, died out with the demise of the coalfield.

But an effort is being made to revive interest in a group of villages in the Wingate, Thornley and Wellfield areas.

A formation meeting for the proposed 146 Wellfield encampment is being organised by Maurice Crake and Michael Nesbitt, at the Crossways Hotel, in Thornley, on Monday, at 7.30pm.

Would-be members must be aged 21 or over.

If there is sufficient interest further meetings will be staged fortnightly, from June 27, between 7.30pm and 10.30pm.

Further information is available from Mr Crake on (01429) 824282.