ONE of the county's top chefs has urged local producers and retailers to beat a path to his door so he can use their "fantastic" food and drink in his preparation of meals.

Simon Walsh, head chef at the Morritt Arms near Barnard Castle, made the request during a cookery demonstration in the hotel ballroom, held as part of the launch of Made in the Dale, a Local Food and Produce Initiative aimed at promoting Teesdale and Weardale produce and crafts.

The venue was offered, free of charge, by proprietor Barbara Johnson.

Mr Walsh prepared a warm salad and a separate dish of spring rolls, which he regularly serves at the Morritt, using local award-winning sausages, bacon, cheese, vegetables, crayfish tails, herbs and salad dressings.

"The best thing about this project is that I have become aware of fantastic products that I didn't know existed right on my doorstep," he said. "You should be breaking my door down to tell me about them.

"As a result of this initiative I'm now using local organic vegetables, meat and salad dressings in my restaurant," he added.

"It really is important that you go and knock on chefs' doors and tell them about what you do and then everyone will benefit. It is so important to break down that barrier."

Tony Seaman is a director of Teesdale Marketing, which is behind the initipative, in partnership with Teesdale and Wear Valley District Councils.

"This came out of the success of the farmers' markets," he said. "It is all about bringing people together to promote what they have to offer, and is a way of moving things forward with a new branding logo.

"As it says in the farmers' market recipe book, we need to think local, try local, buy local."

The branding logo will ensure that consumers are able to tell that the goods they buy are locally produced.

Mr Seaman expected the powerful new alliance to put Teesdale and Weardale on the map for good food, drink and crafts.

The initiative will last throughout 2005 and has the support of influential bodies such as the regional development agency, One Northeast, and the national tourist board, VisitBritain.

It includes the production of a directory of producers and retailers as well as catering establishments and accommodation providers who are using local produce to feed their guests.

Hazel Coppack, who is the promoter of local products on behalf of Teesdale Marketing, took Mr Walsh's comments on board, speaking of the tremendous amount being done to raise awareness of local products and the importance of contact between suppliers, producers and outlets.

Those interested in joining the project can call her on 01833 631870.

Funding for the initiative came from One Northeast, the European Union Leader Plus programme, Teesdale and Wear Valley District Councils, NEDL, the Countryside Agency and GlaxoSmithKline