A NEW heritage trail will be created so people can explore the industrial history and stunning landscape of north west Durham.

The Project Genesis Trust has secured almost £350,000 grant funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for the scheme in Consett.

It is hoped that The Consett and Genesis Heritage Trail will attract more visitors and tourists to Consett and the surrounding area and be appreciated by residents.

The new trail will link up existing footpaths between Consett town and the River Derwent, through the former steelworks site, creating 6.5km of footpath for local people, visitors and tourists to enjoy.

It will give people access to beautiful countryside, promote visitor spending with local businesses, provide picnic and seating areas and interpretation boards celebrating the history of the steelworks.

It will also open up some hidden heritage assets like the old pump house on the Derwent River.

John O’Connor, chairman of the Project Genesis Trust, said: "2019 is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Genesis Trust and this initiative is a great way to help the Trust celebrate that event and demonstrate its importance to the local community, as well as its delivery of the regeneration of the steelworks site."

He said the initiative has the support of the community and businesses in Consett, as well as Visit Durham and Durham County Council.

The Project Genesis Trust will spend a further £90,000 on the development.

This initiative is the latest public realm project delivered in recent years and follows the new Fawcett Park in 2016.

Patron Morris Muter said: "This project is an example of the benefits Project Genesis can bring to Consett and the surrounding area.

"It is the first time we have received grant support for a public realm improvement, and we thank the Secretary of State at DEFRA for recognising the impact that this project can have on the local economy, and the role that Project Genesis has played in the successful regeneration and development of the steelworks site."

To help secure DEFRA funding, Visit Durham produced, through the Derwent Valley AAP, a Destination Development Plan for Consett in 2017 which identified the need to invest in projects which could use it attractive countryside to pull in visitors.

Councillor Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration and Project Genesis Trustee, said: “I’m delighted that the RDPE has chosen to recognise the important role Consett can play as a visitor destination with this investment.

"The money will be spent on an initiative that will significantly improve facilities for local residents and visitors, which will in turn bring more money into the local economy.”

Project Genesis Trust expects to commission the work to start on the project in March with a view to it being completed by September 2019.

The project is also part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.