A VILLAGE social club will travel back in time tonight to celebrate its humble beginnings.

Waldridge Fell Workingmen's Club, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, started life in August 1902 in a hut next to the drift mine where most of its members worked.

A permanent building opened in 1905, but the club closed last year as membership dwindled.

The new Waldridge Fell Club, run by Fiona and Stuart Mills, opened in May and they have decided to celebrate the centenary of its forerunner.

Staff will don period costume for a celebration tonight.

It will feature a performance by 18-year-old guitarist and singer-songwriter Pete Shoulder.

The stage is not big enough for Pete's backing band, so he will do a solo set, including some of his favourite songs.

Pete lives in the village and when he and his band played the Stanley Blues Festival recently, the closed sign went up at the club.

He said: "I played the club in June and it was chocker and there was a great atmosphere. It is fun playing solo and it is good for getting people singing along. I'm looking forward to it."

Fiona said the club, which opened after a major revamp of the building, had proved extremely popular, attracting more than 400 members.

The club has a karaoke night on Fridays with fancy dress, and a singer on Saturdays.

Tonight's celebration starts at 8pm and admission, which includes a buffet, is £2.