A PROJECT aimed at rejuvenating some of the North-East's most spectacular areas of countryside has been given the go-ahead after getting a cash boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Durham County Council and Limestone Landscapes Partnerships have been awarded £2million for the scheme on East Durham's Magnesian Limestone plateau.

A narrow belt of 207km² of land which spreads across south-east Tyne and Wear and east Durham, it supports a wide range of species and habitats, including rare butterflies, such as the Durham Argus butterfly.

Durham county councillor Neil Foster, the cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Over the next 12 months, the Limestone Landscapes Partnership will be drawing up plans to restore and enhance key biodiversity sites such as important grasslands in and around Cassop Vale, fenland in Kelloe Beck Valley, dene woodlands along the coast and field boundaries such as hedgerows.

"A number of sites with important geology will be cleared and stabilised. "Local people will have the opportunity to become involved with their heritage - particularly historic heritage through a project to identify locally important buildings and features which need conservation work.

"Access to heritage sites will be improved through the creation and improvement of new and existing routes.

"There will also be several projects to help link town and country such as school links to farms and food cooperatives which support local growers and businesses."

The area holds two thirds of the UK's Magnesian Limestone Grassland, and is of huge international importance.

The exceptional landscape boasts yellow sands, fossil rich Marl slate and contains a rare fossil fish which dates back from the last ice age.

The rich site is so unique to the North East, not only due to mass of wildlife it contains and its magnificent backdrop - it is also of huge archaeological importance and contains fascinating Bronze Age ritual sites and evidence of Iron Age and Romano-British Settlements.