In a message dated 06/03/2004 21:46:00 GMT Standard Time, brian@robinson8298.fsnet.co.uk writes: > I should have said "Gateshead" was in "Co Durham" before 1974 Gateshead is still in the ancient County of Durham. It is now a Unitary Authority for administration purposes. The changes in 1974 did not alter the boundaries of the historic counties see http://www.abcounties.co.uk/newgaz/cen.htm#section3.4 'Note that the LGA 1972 did not do anything to the historic Counties of Britain. It only abolished the administrative counties and county boroughs. The Government was (and still is) happy to confirm that the Counties themselves were unaffected: "The new county boundaries are solely for the purpose of defining areas of ... local government. They are administrative areas, and will not alter the traditional boundaries of Counties, nor is it intended that the loyalties of people living in them will change."(DoE Statement, 1st April 1974)'. Regards Stan Mapstone