Primary school children across County Durham can take part in some fun, creative activities this half term.

Durham County Record Office is offering free online workshops giving children the chance to find out more about Durham County Council’s Record Office and uncover some of its treasured collections.

‘Seaside, Diaries and Snakes: Investigating how people lived in the past’ will highlight what the archives reveal about everyday life in County Durham’s past.

There is a photograph of a Victorian family’s seaside trip, a Weardale girl’s diary about her pets and a list of children christened in Tudor times. Children can also have fun with a craft activity based on an extraordinary story of a giant snake in Durham.

Dawn Layland, education and outreach archivist at the Record Office, said: “The workshops are a great opportunity for children to find out more about the Record Office and to inspire an interest in history as well as offering something fun for them to do over their half-term break.

“This half-term will no doubt be tough for children because of the lockdown. We hope that the workshops on offer to primary children will help to spark an interest in something creative and offer a fresh challenge in these difficult times.”

The workshops are being held twice during the week: on Wednesday, 17 February at 2pm and Friday, 19 February at 10am. The sessions are free, but places must be booked in advance by emailing record.office@durham.gov.uk