IT is a project close to his heart and has taken more than a year to release - but a Tynedale songwriter has finally unveiled his historic album to the community.

Jackie Davidson, from High Mickley, has added to his collection of Northumbrian-themed songs after launching 'We Are Northumbrian' in 2018.

Consisting of 12 songs, his latest album 'Northumbrian and Proud' recalls memories of Jackie's childhood at school and holidays alongside historic local tales.

Inspired by spending large chunks of his childhood with his grandparents in Barrasford, the song 'Tynedale Boy Soldiers' recalls his grandfathers journey from adolescence to the First World War in France in 1914.

The 'Heavenfield Heroes' notes the historic battle near the Military Road and Chollerton in 634 CE, while Prudhoe also takes up particular prominence on the album with ‘Prudda Girls’ - denoting Jackie’s memories as a school child - and ‘Proud Hill’ - a song about the origins of Prudhoe.

On the ‘Miners of Mickley’, Jackie said the lyrics were inspired by memories as a child of the drift mine at Hedley.

'We Are Northumbrians' was Jackie's first attempt at songwriting, he said, and what originated as a poem, became the album's lead track.

And the song 'Our River North Tyne' is Jackie's love letter to the district's river, which he says is the 'lifeblood' of Tynedale.

Copies of the album can be purchased from Just To Say gift shop in Prudhoe and GTP mortgages and financial services in Hexham. For more information call 07533654645.