IT is the region's newest official tourist attraction and it is bringing a little bit of culture to Consett.
The Glass and Art Gallery at Consett has been awarded Tourist Attraction Status by the English Tourism Council.
Road signs promoting the gallery of internationally acclaimed glass artist Maralyn O'Keefe's art gallery have been erected as part of promoting the tourist attraction.
As well as Maralyn O'Keefe's glass work, there are paintings, textile and metal work displayed from more than 70 North-East artists at the gallery on Medomsley Road.
Mrs O'Keefe, whose most famous recent work was a large scale window installed in memory of North Shields Enigma hero Tommy Brown in his home town, has allowed her gallery to be featured on television as well as magazines and radio since it opened more than two years ago.
Sam Richardson, project development officer at Derwentside District Council, said the development was a boost to the authority's attempts to promote tourism in the area.
She said: "An awful lot of effort is being made to make this area attractive for the tourist and it is certainly working."
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