PART of an amateur historian's astonishing collection of photographs tracing the history of the market town where he lives is to be exhibited to help raise funds for a community library.

Brian Hall has collected over 1,000 photographs tracing the history of Bedale and the exhibition, which includes just a small number of them, is being launched at a fundraising night for the town's community library on Friday November 17 in Bedale Hall.

Alongside a quiz, wine and cheese and a book stall, there will be an introduction to the exhibition by the broadcaster Brian Cook.

One of the highlights will be a photograph of Brian Hall and two other local boys taken from the film The Way to the Stars, a classic British war drama starring John Mills which was made in 1945 and filmed partly in Northallerton and Bedale.

Mr Cook has made a short video with Brian Hall - which will be shown on the night - about working as an extra in the film alongside the stars who also included Michael Redgrave, Rosamund John and Stanley Holloway.

Organisers say tickets, which are £5 each, will be available at Bedale Hall on the night itself.

The quiz will feature questions relating to books and writers, with references available in the library and the town's museum which will both be open for the fund-raising evening.

The exhibition of photographs will contunue until November 30.