SPOOKY stories are to be wheeled out to rural areas in the region next week.

Durham County Council's Bookbus is preparing to take to the road to bring the ghostly tales to young and old.

The project is being funded by the county council and the North-East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, while the storytellers are being provided by Durham City Arts.

The aim of the project is to provide some literary fun and to attract more people into libraries and museums.

The storytelling tour begins in Weardale on Monday with the Bookbus visiting the Frosterley Inn, from 6.40pm, the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, from 7.10pm, and Eastgate main street, from 7.50pm.

It will visit Billy Row, near the green, on Tuesday, from 6.30pm, Mount Pleasant, in Stanley Crook, from 7pm, Sunniside main street, from 7.30pm, and Tow Law Community centre from 8pm.

On Wednesday, the Bookbus will be near the community centre in New Brancepeth, from 6.15pm, near the sports centre, in Ushaw Moor, from 6.45pm, Waterhouses main street, from 7.20pm, near to the community centre, in Bearpark, from 8pm, and the White Tun, Witton Gilbert, from 8.30pm.

It will make its final stops next Thursday at Witton Park Community Centre, from 6.30pm, Butterknowle village hall, from 7.10pm, and the Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, from 7.55pm.