A MINI version of Weardale's proposed green energy centre could spring up in school grounds years before the full version gets under way.

Wolsingham School and Community College hopes to include an eco-garden, incorporating hydro-electric, solar and wind power, in a £10,000 project to explore and preserve the dale's rich heritage.

Building the garden would mean creating an artificial river course in the school grounds, where there would also be wind turbines and solar panels.

Further up the dale there are ambitious plans for an eco-village, based on five renewable energy sources, on a former cement works site at Eastgate, but this is not expected to open for some years.

The school has Big Lottery funding and support from Durham Wildlife Trust for its year-long venture, called Hearts and Minds.

Issues such as the dale's history, environment, sustainability and conservation will be introduced into a range of lessons, while Weardale residents will be invited to contribute their memories of the area for an oral record.

Children could also be taught traditional crafts such as dry-stone walling.

Head of science Anthony Tuffery, who is co-ordinating the project, said a range of activities would be developed across the curriculum, in subjects such as history, science and English.

He said: "The dale is unique, but it is changing rapidly and it is important that its character is not lost.

"We will be exploring issues such as its history and its future, talking to residents and community groups as well as local experts.

"There is almost no limit to what could be done."

Headteacher Andrea Crawshaw said: "This is an exciting project which will enable our students to understand in a practical way the wonderful heritage of the dale."

Helen Cheetham, project leader and education officer at the trust, said: "Heritage organisations such as ourselves can often struggle to engage with secondary schools.

"In the main this is because the curriculum is already so full, and there is an obvious emphasis on getting the students through important exams.

"The Hearts and Minds project is an exciting opportunity to get young people engaged and motivated by heritage projects, a subject traditionally viewed as dull and dusty.