AN award-winning scheme to put maps of County Durham on the Internet is to be extended.

Durham County Council won the Association for Geographic Information National Award 2003 with its School Mapping Project.

The project has put maps, past and present, of the county, on a website that school pupils can use as part of their lessons.

It has been piloted by Fyndoune Community College, Sacriston, Blackfyne School, Consett and Staindrop School as well of Ebchester C of E, Escomb, Yoden and Benfieldside primary schools.

This year it will be made available to all the county's 300 schools.