THE demolition of a former cinema has revealed more secrets from an 18th Century banqueting house.

Archaeologists discovered that a pillar and two lintels at the front of the derelict building in Trimdon Village originally came from the house in Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield.

When they learnt that the cinema was to be demolished to make way for houses, they decided to see if any more remains had been used to build it in the 1960s.

When render from the front of the building was removed, more material from the banqueting house was revealed, and it is hoped it can be used to rebuild at least some of the elements from the house as part of a project to restore the park.

Niall Hammond, archaeological officer with Durham County Council, said: "The cinema was a two storey building and the whole of the first floor at the front was sandstone from the banqueting house.

"We've rescued the stonework and it is now being held in storage, so hopefully we will be able to use that stone back at the original site.

"There's not enough to put the banqueting hall back together, but we will be able to use it as the restoration progresses," said Mr Hammond.