A CENTURIES-old tradition which added sparkle to the lives of hardworking lead miners is being revived.

The art of spar box making, which shows off dazzling crystals unearthed over long hours underground, is being brought back to life by part-time face worker Chris Clarke.

He is showing off his contemporary spar boxes in an exhibition at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale.

They are displayed until July 14, alongside Robert Ridley's 1986 spar box and the giant Eggleston box of 1904, which form part of the museum's permanent attractions.

Killhope manager Ian Forbes said: "Chris is one of a few people trying to revive the spar box tradition.

"His work moves the craft on from the traditional to the very modern, incorporating light and sound and a sense of humour."

A miner at Ayle Colliery, near Alston, Cumbria, Mr Clarke moved from London, where he worked in computer programming, to Whitley Bay eight years ago.

He said: "Spar boxes of old were the miners' entertainment on long nights. I make mine to entertain people."

Mr Clarke is at Killhope on Sunday and on July 14 to answer visitors' questions.