A BOOK that has taken more than 100 years to write has finally been launched at an official ceremony.

The definitive history of Darlington is part of the Victoria County History (VCH) series, commissioned in 1899, and designed to tell the detailed history of every parish in England.

The book - Durham VCH Volume IV: Darlington - was launched at a ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace, Darlington.

Dr Gill Cookson, editor of the volume, said: "It was a nice event, we had some of the supporters there - people who have been involved for years, including financial backers."

It was produced by the revived Durham Victoria County History Trust.

The book, which costs £95, was also unveiled at Darlington's Crown Street Library last night.

* For more local history news and features, go to The Northern Echo's online history site at www.northeast history.co.uk