ARCHIVED maps and prints of Durham normally only available for viewing in libraries can now be seen at the touch of a button.

Pictures in Print, a joint project between Durham University, Durham County Council and Durham Cathedral, features historical images from each partner on one website.

Some prints even date to the 16th Century.

The painstaking process of sorting, conserving, organising, boxing, cataloging and digitising the pre-Ordnance Survey pictures and maps was funded by the British Library's Cooperation and Partnership Programme.

Some images from the British Library in London, which are not available locally, are also included in the collection.

Joan Weighell, information services and local studies librarian at Durham City Library, said: "The first Ordnance Survey maps were produced in 1860 but Pictures in Print looks at earlier maps and engravings.

Pictures in Print can be accessed via www.dur.ac/pic turesinprint and searches can be made by place, person or subject.