MILLIONS of children around the world will soon be able to experience County Durham’s dales thanks to a new technological marvel created by Google.

That’s after the company launched Google Expedition, an app that allows teachers to bring the world into the classroom with 360 degree views of some of the globe’s most important landmarks.

It is currently being piloted in the UK with digital media company Twig World contracted to capture about 20 educational experiences that children can watch through special goggles.

And outdoor instructors, Rob and Abi Atkinson, of The Kingsway Outdoor Education Centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, added gorge walking to the list of activities when the Twig team visited with their special camera to capture all angles at Low Force, in Teesdale.

Mr Atkinson, who has been managing the centre for about eight years, said he was really excited to take part in the project.

“As a centre we are small but a lot of people know about us and this content is going to be seen by millions of people all over the world,” he said.

The 27-year-old, of Barnard Castle, added: “It’s weird that we do outdoor education which is going to be shown indoors but if it inspires children to think about this as a career it’s a good thing.”

The gorge walking experience will join others with everything from Buckingham Palace to Kuala Lumpur being places children can explore from the comfort of their classroom.

Project lead and digital producer at Twig, Austen Atkinson revealed how the centre was recommended by his mother, a Rotarian, as it has just won the Rotarian’s Young Leadership Award.

“I’m from the area and my mum knew these guys so when I was saying is there anything in the North-East she said they were really cool,” he said.

Twig’s head of professional development, Mark Ellis, said the app allows students to access 260 different places which is controlled by the teacher from a tablet.

“It’s immediately engaging which is key. You can be at the base camp at Everest and have a look around or looking at sharks swimming around you in the sea.

“From an engagement point of view it’s extremely important because you get to see jobs and lives of people you might not have done.”