BUSINESSES involved in tourism found strength in numbers yesterday as they looked for new ways to boost the local economy.

Wear Valley District Council brought together a range of organisations for its first tourism distribution day, in Crook Golf Club.

The success of the event brought calls for it to become an annual fixture.

Mike Richardson, the council's tourism officer, said most exhibitors had taken the opportunity to discuss how they could work together in a visitor network.

He said: "People have told me they have found it very useful. It has been very successful for everyone I have talked to and they want us to hold a similar event every year."

Steve Raine, chairman of the Weardale Railway Trust, which is reopening a stretch of line between Stanhope and Wolsingham, in July, said: "The event helped get over the message that everyone needs to work together to increase visitor numbers. We have enough attractions to make people to want to come and stay and that is what we need to build on."

Cathie Tinn, marketing and tourism officer for the North Pennines Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, said: "The event was really well organised. It was a very useful networking opportunity."