A DISPLAY of crystals went on show at the weekend.

Killhope North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Upper Weardale, hosted the 11th annual Friends of Killhope grand mineralogical exhibition.

The display attracted mineral collectors from all over Britain, in total exhibiting up to 100 pieces in 11 classes.

The event has become a national event for collectors, recreating displays staged more than a century ago by miners showing off the crystals they unearthed.

Judge Brian Young, of the British Geological Survey, was impressed with this year's entries as they were one of the most colourful and well preserved collections seen. There were also some unusual mineral combinations, including a specimen of witherite and flourite which is so rare that Mr Young has asked it to be included in scientific records.

Museum manager Ian Forbes said: "The exhibition is a showcase for the very best North Pennines minerals.

"Weardale fluorspar, in particular, is famous all over the world and there are specimens in every respected geological museum.

"It's also extremely attractive with fabulous crystals and colours and can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone.

"There was lots of purple fluorspar on display but also some rarer yellow, plum, green and amber which impressed visitors to the museum all weekend."