BRIDES from the last seven decades are dusting down their wedding dresses for a charity exhibition next month.

At least a dozen women have agreed to display their treasured gowns at Tudhoe Community Centre, near Spennymoor, on Sunday, December 4.

The event has been organised by Tudhoe couple Peter and Anne Campbell, after they were inspired by a similar event at Harperley Prisoner of War Camp.

The dresses will span every decade from the 1940s to the present and will be accompanied by a display of wartime wedding memories and photographs, compiled by Linsey Wraith, who organised the Harperley exhibition.

Patisserie chef Chris Burnett is baking and decorating a dark and white Belgian chocolate truffle cake to raffle on the day.

The oldest dress on display will be a cream sateen gown belonging to 80-year-old May Simpson.

Mrs Simpson, who was married at Whitworth Church on September 6, 1947, bought the dress with eight wartime ration coupons to wed husband Joe, who died a few months before the couple's golden wedding anniversary.

The newest dress belongs to 19-year-old Stacey Hodginson -- bought on the Internet from the US for her big day last September 3, when she married David.

Mr Campbell said: "It is fascinating to see the change in fashion and hear the stories behind the dresses through the years."

Admission to the exhibition, from 11am to 4pm, is free but a donation of £2 is suggested in aid of Children In Need.