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

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

Leading travel firms from across the UK will be given a tour of the area's hot spots to encourage them to host 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 hopes to increase tourism opportunities to boosting the economy after losing many of its traditional industries.

The party of 40 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. They will lunch at Horsley Hall Hotel, near Eastgate, and hear a presentation by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team.

Linking many of the attractions in the future could be Weardale Heritage Railway, the first stage of which opens next month, so the group will visit Stanhope Station.

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

The party will also tour the Manor House Hotel, in West Auckland, and Auckland Castle and the Discovery Centre in Bishop Auckland town centre.

Durham County Councillor for environment Bob Pendlebury, chairman of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: "The area has an incredible amount to offer in terms of visitor attractions and natural environment, and as a National Geopark it has international recognition now.

"It is important to publicise that and increase the area's profile so it rivals places like the Lake District."

Local tourism businesses can meet delegates at a workshop, on Friday, June 18, 7pm to 8pm, at the Park Head Country Hotel. To reserve a place call Steve Reed on 0786 7788754.