A CITY'S colourful characters have been immortalised in a series of folk songs.

A gipsy piper, who spent the last seven years of his life in a cell under Durham's Elvet Bridge, and a 3ft 3in Polish Count who entertained gentry by playing a miniature violin, feature on Robin Murray's new CD.

Mr Murray, an accounts manager for a tyre wholesalers, came up with the idea of writing songs about some of Durham's off-beat characters when he spotted the sculpture of Durham's fabled dun cow, as he walked along the River Wear, near the Racecourse cricket ground.

The dun cow is reputed to be the inspiration for the siting of Durham Cathedral. Lindisfarne Monks fleeing Vikings with St Cuthbert's body, are said to have had a vision telling them to take his body to a place called Dunholme. The monks then overheard a milkmaid being told that her lost dun cow was on "Dunholme" and followed her to the site.

Mr Murray, from Newton Hall, Durham, teamed up with Ray Rayson, from Newcastle, who provided the vocals for the track.

The story of Jimmy Allen, a gipsy piper, is also told. He was the official Northumberland piper to the Duchess of Northumberland and spent his last years in a cell under Elvet Bridge after being caught stealing a horse at the age of 70. His pardon came two days after his death.

Another song Count Barawalski, tells the tale of the miniature Polish count, who settled in Durham after spending his life touring Europe, playing the violin.

The CD, called Welcome to Paradise after the name of one of Durham's worst slums, is on sale at Durham Tourist Information Centre.