A JOINT bid by two of the region's councils for World Heritage Site status could provide a massive boost to the North-East economy, it has been revealed.

A five-year plan expected to cost about £3.5m and aimed at increasing the appeal of Darlington's Railway Centre and Museum is expected to result in a second bid for the status.

With Sedgefield Borough Council's work to bring an off-shoot of the National Railway Museum to Shildon, it is hoped a bid linking the sites would have a chance of success.