PEOPLE are being invited to explore part of the region's railway heritage this weekend with the excavation of part of the former Stockton to Darlington Railway.

Stockton Borough Council's countryside service and museum service has joined Tees Archaeology and the Teesside Small Gauge Railway to organise the event on Sunday, between noon and 4pm, at Preston Hall Museum, Stockton.

Tees Archaeology will be excavating the railway bed, helped by hundreds of school children from local schools, working in groups every day this week.

As well as the excavation of the track bed, there will also be a number of other activities taking place at the museum on the day, including guided walks, craft activities and theatre performances by Pluto Theatre Company, in Preston Hall Museum.

Paul Lake, visitor services manager for Stockton council, said: "It is important we celebrate the unique history of the park and hall and its railway heritage.

"This is a great opportunity for people to come along and learn about the role the borough played in the birth of the railways and we hope everyone will come along and take part."

For details, call (01642) 788907 or Preston Hall Museum on (01642) 781184.