A CONFERENCE yesterday began discussing ways to exploit the economic potential of some of the North-East's best-loved countryside.

Urban and rural decision-makers met at Beamish Hall Hotel, near Stanley, County Durham, to talk about the region's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hadrian's Wall and the Durham Heritage Coast.

Research undertaken on behalf of development agency One NorthEast found that money generated by businesses in these protected areas was more than £700m.

Miles Middleton, the chairman of the North-East Rural Affairs Forum, said: "It is widely acknowledged that these unique landscapes make a significant contribution towards supporting the North-East economy.

"To ensure these areas of natural beauty and cultural heritage continue to play a part in the economic success of our region, it is essential that they are appropriately supported.

"This should be done through a joined-up approach towards management, planning and funding, developed between the public and private sectors."

Mr Middleton said the dunes, marshes and mud-flats of the region's extensive coastline, stretching from Hartlepool to Bamburgh, Northumberland, were some of the best sites in Europe for waders and waterfowl.

He said: "It is now recognised there must be a new structure which has the power and authority to manage and promote the coastline in its entirety."

Mr Middleton went on to say sites such as Upper Teesdale, the North Pennines and The Cheviots, in Northumberland, also provided unique habitats, such as blanket bog, upland heath, hay meadows and upland oak woodland.

He said Hadrian's Wall was one of the most important heritage landscapes in Europe, with the Hadrian's Wall corridor providing unique regional employment and tourism opportunities.

He said: "With the recent Modernising Rural Delivery Review, we now have a much clearer view on the Government's rural priorities for the next three to five years, and a regional framework is being developed to show how this will be achieved in the region.

"We all have a role to play in conserving and protecting these priceless assets to ensure they flourish and continue to support the North-East economy for future generations."