A TEN-YEAR plan has been issued to tackle problems in a rural area and give its 24,000 residents a better chance to succeed in life.

The blueprint aims to improve job prospects, housing, health, social care, teaching and leisure facilities in the Barnard Castle area.

It has been produced by the Teesdale Partnership, which includes Teesdale District Council, Durham County Council, Durham Police, One North East and Dales Primary Care Trust, and will be formally launched at the Bowes Museum on April 26.

Mark Haynes, the partnership manager, said yesterday: "A lot of work has gone into this, and we believe it will help to improve life for many people in the Teesdale area."

Coun Ken Robinson, chairman of the partnership, said: "By pooling our efforts, enthusiasm, resources and expertise we really can make a difference and have an impact on the quality of life for all the people in Teesdale."

A priority is to diversify the local economy and bring in high-quality businesses. Other aims are to market Teesdale as a year-round tourist centre and improve business support.

It also aims to improve community safety, develop workplace training and increase the number of affordable houses to help young people stay in the district.