RESIDENTS have been helping to make the proposal of a Necklace Park running through Durham City a reality, with a a mapping project at the weekend.

Dozens of people joined a project called Mapping the Necklace to create their own maps of the 12-mile route from Croxdale to Finchale.

Necklace Park manager Claire Lancaster said: "We have had an overwhelming response.

"Residents have been coming to tell us about their interesting places along the route, including their favourite walks, where they like to go for tranquillity, where they have access with wheelchairs. We have also been learning about where children like to go to play.

"The chances are, if residents like certain areas, someone else will. This will give us ideas for projects to include on the map."

The project has been created by local people coming forward who want more access. It was one of the main ideas proposed by the Durham 2020 Vision, which includes a number of proposals for development in the city over the next 14 years.

The Necklace Park is linked by historic rights of way, based on agreements among landowners, agencies and residents, to open up inaccessible, unmapped, hidden, derelict or private land.

Ms Lancaster said several people had raised issues over access to Kepier Woods and Finchale.

She said: "This could be addressed through negotiation with landowners working with local authorities."

Ms Lancaster said over the next two years, a project would be launched to obtain funding to open the Belmont Viaduct to the public.

Through the weekend, about 20 groups and individuals have been creating their maps of the park, online and on the ground.

These will ultimately provide interpretations of the park and information for visitors on access, points of interest, landmarks and things to do.

Two wheelchair users were testing the park's accessibility, and school pupils have been studying how maps could help make the Belmont Viaduct more visible and accessible.

The project is being overseen by Dott (Designs of the Time) 07, a scheme devised by the Design Council and OneNorthEast.

The event concludes today, with mappers invited to sign in at Clayport Library or the nearby tourist information centre, between 10am and 2pm