TELEVISION viewers will be able to watch one of the region's biggest summer events this weekend.

The Traidcraft Great North Walk, which attracted thousands of ramblers to County Durham last month, is the subject of a programme to be broadcast tomorrow.

The walk attracted more than 4,000 people of all ages to Wear Valley, showing them what the area has to offer visitors and boosting the local economy.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, completed part of the walk.

The event was integral to A Chance To Live, an award-winning health campaign by The Northern Echo and partners Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water.

Most walkers followed an eight-mile circular route, starting and finishing on the lawns of the Bishop of Durham's home Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

There was also a gentler three-mile route for children and wheelchair users.

Organisers Wear Valley District Council and Nova International hailed the event a huge success.

Council leader Olive Brown said: "It was a spectacular success to promote walking for health and for highlighting the Wear Valley.

"I hope lots of people watch on Sunday and decide to take a trip to the area themselves."

Crews from Tyne Tees Television, promoting its Britain on the Move campaign to encourage people to live more active lifestyles, captured the feel-good atmosphere and stunning scenery along woodland and riverside paths and disused railways.

Executive producer Roger Thames said: "It was a brilliant idea having a Bishop involved. The sun certainly shone on the righteous - for about the only time this summer!"

A Blessed Walk will be shown at 12.55pm.

Published:21/08/2004