THE North-East proved it had the "write stuff" in entertaining some of the world's top travel journalists.

Up to 50 writers from Holland, Belgium, the US and Hong Kong have all recently visited the North-East in trips organised by the One NorthEast Tourism Team, an arm of the regional development agency.

Places of interest for the journalists during their visit included Beamish, Hadrian's Wall, Hartlepool Historic Quay and the University of Durham's botanic gardens.

It is hoped the visits, in conjunction with VisitBritain, England's North Country and DFDS Seaways, will boost tourism and encourage holidaymakers from abroad to visit the North-East.

Val Lowther, of the One NorthEast Tourism Team, said: "These are people with very high standards who have sampled the very best destinations across the globe.

"I am certain that we gave them a first-class impression of our region and plenty to write home about.

"We are confident that the articles that result from these trips will generate a great deal of interest from international travellers, keen to sample the North-East for themselves."