HOLIDAY companies and travel agents will visit Wear Valley and the dale this month to see what the district has to offer to tourists.

In a bid to put the district on the European tourism map and attract thousands of visitors to the area, a showcase event will be held next weekend.

Leading travel businesses from across the UK will be given a tour of the area's hot spots, hopefully encouraging them to promote trips to the area and drum up business for the local tourism economy.

In particular it aims to pull in coach parties.

Mike Richardson, tourism promotion and development officer for Wear Valley District Council, said: "Wear Valley tourism businesses have got together to provide what should be an unforgettable experience for the tour planners to try to generate new business for the local tourism economy."

The district has been looking to increase tourism opportunities as another way of boosting the economy and job creation since losing many of its traditional industries.

From the Park Head Country Hotel in New Coundon, the 40-strong party of tourism VIPs will visit Harperley Prisoner of War Camp, Killhope, The North of England Lead Mining Museum, Weardale Methodist Chapel and Museum at Ireshopeburn, and Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope.

After lunch at Horsley Hall Hotel, near Eastgate, there will be a presentation by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team.

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

Tour planners will also visit Escomb Church, Locomotion - the National Railway Museum and Railway Village in Shildon, and Binchester Roman Fort.

They will tour the Manor House Hotel in West Auckland, and Auckland Castle and the Discovery Centre.

The event will include a workshop, next Friday, at the Park Head Country Hotel, for local tourism businesses to meet buyers. To book call Steve Reed on 0786 7788754.