HUNDREDS of tourists are to be encouraged to visit the Wear Valley, with travel companies pledging to promote what the area after seeing what it has to offer.

As part of a drive to maximise tourism in the district as a way of boosting the local economy and creating jobs, Wear Valley District Council held a familiarisation trip for tour organisers and coach operators.

Last weekend the companies where shown the highlights of the district, with a tour of visitor attractions, hotels and future projects that will place the district on the European tourism map.

All 25 travel representatives vowed to return to the district with coach-loads of visitors after seeing the area's potential for excursions.

Comments on their feedback questionnaires included "not to be missed", "tons of potential", "a gem" and "beautiful, interesting and would always want to revisit".

The party of tourism VIPs, who stayed at the Park Head Hotel, in New Coundon, visited Harperley Prisoner of War Camp; Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum; Weardale Methodist Chapel and Museum; and the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope.

They had lunch at Horsley Hall Hotel, near Eastgate, and heard a presentation by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team about the area's rich environment.

Linking many of the attractions one day will be the Weardale Heritage Railway, the first stage of which opens next month, so the group visited Stanhope Station.

The Saxon Escomb Church, Locomotion - the National Railway Museum and Railway Village, in Shildon, and Binchester Roman Fort, were also part of the tour.

The guests were also taken to the Manor House Hotel, in West Auckland, the Bishop of Durham's official residence, Auckland Castle, and the Discovery Centre, in Bishop Auckland town centre.

Mike Richardson, the council's tourism promotion and development officer, was delighted with the success of the event and said he felt it bode well for the area's future as a tourism centre.

He said: "Even before the tour had finished the travel organisers were impressed and some had arranged to bring coach trips to the district.

"We know the area has real potential because of the natural attractions and interesting visitors centres, and this will only increase with future projects."