FOR far too long, the area now labelled the Tees Valley has hidden its light under a bushel.

It changed the world by giving birth to the railways and yet it has failed to capitalise on that magnificent claim to fame.

The Northern Echo has persistently argued for a change of direction through its "Treasuring Our Railway Heritage" campaign and yet, when the year 2000 dawned, the 175th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway was another in a long line of missed opportunities.

So was the failure to fight for Locomotion: The National Railway Museum to come to Darlington instead of Shildon.

At long last, there has been an awakening and Tees Valley is to use the 200th anniversary of the birthplace of the railways as the catalyst to bid for City of Culture status in 2025.

It is a chance to promote all that is good about the Tees Valley and there is undoubtedly a depth of local culture to celebrate.

But there is also a great deal of work to be done to make sure the Tees Valley's offer to the outside world is truly compelling. Every region can compile a long list based on its special place in history, its events and its tourist attractions. But it is not about length – it is about quality. The Tees Valley's success will depend on how good and how joined-up those attractions are.

The Northern Echo welcomes the Tees Valley's bid for City of Culture and we will support it all the way. The missed opportunity of 2000 must become the triumph of 2025, even if the title "City of Culture" ultimately goes elsewhere.

It is a case of better late than never.