THE past will be brought to life on Saturday when Durham County Council stages its biggest local history fair.

Yesterday Belongs To You, at County Hall, Aykley Heads, Durham City, is aimed at enthusiasts of local and family history.

The event will feature more than 80 organisations, ranging from local history societies to the council's arts, libraries and museums department.

Attractions will include recitations by Northumbrian Language Society, medieval music performed by Palatine Waits, and rides around the city's historic sights in old buses restored by Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society, which featured in ITV's drama Heartbeat.

There will be displays by libraries, archive services and museums, bookstalls, and traders selling historic maps and postcards.

"This is the fifth major local and family history day we have run, and each time they get better and better, said the council's director of arts, libraries and museums Patrick Conway.

Iain Watson, the council's Durham Studies manager, said: "The fair provides something for everyone, from the serious researcher to those who just want to find out a little more about the history of their family, house, town or village."

The event runs from 10.30am to 4pm. Admission is free.