AN ambitious scheme to build a 500ft-long rope bridge high above the River Tees could become a reality.

Marketing bosses in Teesdale, County Durham, have already approached engineers to see if building a rope bridge across the river, near Barnard Castle, in County Durham, is possible.

And experts at Cleveland Bridge, in Darlington, have given an initial go-ahead to the idea, which will be based on the world-famous Capilano suspension bridge, in Vancouver, Canada.

The £500,000 initiative could bring hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Teesdale economy, which has suffered heavily because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The idea is the brainchild of Chris Dauber, a co-founder member of Teesdale Marketing, which promotes businesses and commerce in the dale.

Bill Oldfield, chairman of the group, said: "The plans are still on the table, but if it comes to fruition then it will be a massive boost to the Teesdale economy.

"This whole initiative should hopefully be an example to everyone in Teesdale as to what can be achieved and how determined people are to see the dale prosper."

Experts at Cleveland Bridge have already looked at the proposed site and have confirmed that a bridge across the Tees, would be possible.

Experts believe the proposed bridge would have a span of 560ft and would be 150ft above the Tees.

The bridge, if the plans get the go-ahead, will replace a former railway viaduct.

Peter Ladd, proposals director of Cleveland Bridge, said: "We have looked at the possibility of building a rope bridge across the Tees, near Barnard Castle, and it can be done.

"That said, it is likely to wobble if the wind gets up, but that is the same for all bridges of this kind. It would be quite safe and easily built and I imagine it would be quite a crowd-puller."

The bridge would be built of spiral strand ropes, with timber decks and a hand rail, with metal chain barriers for extra safety