Maps dating back hundreds of year can be viewed on computer thanks to a new venture in County Durham.

Pictures in Print, a joint project between Durham University, Durham County Council and Durham Cathedral, brings the collections of the three to a world-wide audience via the Internet.

"The first Ordnance Survey maps were produced in 1860 but Pictures in Print looks at earlier maps and engravings," said Joan Weighell, information services and local studies librarian at the city's library.

"Some of the material dates back to the 16th Century with most of the really old items coming from the collections held by the cathedral and the university."

Pictures in Print has sorted, conserved, organised, boxed, catalogued and digitised the collections.

It can be accessed on www.dur.ac.uk/picturesinprint where searches for pictures can be made by place, person and subject.

"We've had a trial website running for some time now and have been adding to it as the work has progressed,'' said Richard Higgins, assistant librarian at the university.

"It means that historical material which could previously only be seen in the libraries can now be easily accessed by anyone at the touch of a button," he said.

Pictures in Print was funded by the British Library's Co-operation and Partnership Programme and includes some images from its collection in London that are not available locally.