A WRITER who is passionate about her home town's history has launched a website to gather more memories of the past.

Barbara Laurie has already collected thousands of photographs and stories for a series of books on Bishop Auckland.

She hopes to gather even more information through the Internet and is urging people to get in touch through the site www.bishopauckland history.co.uk.

There is a forum and information on her books on topics such as Bishop Auckland Football Club, the 1850s and 1950s, the town in wartime, her headteacher father and local bridges.

Mrs Laurie, who chairs Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum and the development control committee at Wear Valley District Council, has seen her books sent to readers all over the world.

She said: "There have been so many changes over the years and it is important that the information is not lost.

"The Internet is such an opportunity to reach more people. I hope that memories of Bishop Auckland will be the biggest section on the site."