Book Suggestion: An Encyclopaedia of North-East England

My local history, and for a matter of fact, local knowledge altogether is very limited  Despite living in the North East all my life I usually struggle with questions about the area and since I have started playing in the Sunderland Echo Quiz League this has become even more evident.

 I was shopping around and came across Richard Lomas An Encyclopaedia of North-East England which I have been enjoying very much. It certainly has raised my knowledge and presents facts in a useful way. Although it is an Encyclopaedia time is spent explaining the people, places and events so you get a good understanding.