DURING the long hours author and historian Barbara Laurie was digging into the past for her latest book on Bishop Auckland, her mind was firmly fixed on ways of creating a brighter future for her home community.

Councillor Laurie, Wear Valley District Council planning committee chairman and a member of both the Bishop Auckland Partnership and the town's forum, is one of the driving forces behind the coming regeneration of the market town.

Evidence of Bishop Auckland's gracious past is in every page of her new volume of words and pictures, called The Changing Face of Bishop Auckland. Sadly, many are ripe for revival, including Back Bondgate, where the council is planning to replace a bus depot and car park with shops, flats and leisure facilities, Newgate Street and other town centre areas.

Coun Laurie, who lives with her husband, Peter, in Dene Hall Drive, said: "It is sad to look back on all the lovely buildings that used to be there and where there are now gaping holes.

"It appals me to think of the number of things that have just been knocked down and what we are putting in their place, such as the DSS building which is a monstrosity.

"I would like to see Bishop Auckland revived as a town that looks good. Parts of it already look very good now, but parts have gone downhill.

"We need investment in the town so that it can fulfil its true potential as a centre for tourism and commerce."

Bishop Auckland Civic Society has staged an exhibition in the Town Hall to coincide with publication of the book. It runs until November 3.

The Changing Face of Bishop Auckland costs £12 and is available at the Town Hall, newsagents and WH Smith in Newgate Street, where the author will be signing copies next Thursday, from 4pm