MINISTERS from the Baltic states visited the North-East to learn how it has harnessed European cash to launch creative industries.

Representatives from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were in Durham to see how its cultural quarter is developing,

They had a tour of Fowler's Yard, a collection of workshops for artists and various other craftspeople and talked to local dignitaries.

The countries are three of the nation states joining the European Union in June and hope to learn how to access grants to kick-start similar industries.

Gintaras Sodeika, Lithuania's vice-minister of culture, said: "We feel it is time to be more open and get information from our British colleagues.

"The North-East of England is experienced in this field and we want to meet artists and professionals to see how they have built up their businesses.

"It is very interesting and I think we will be starting with crafts, visual arts and design, but in the future we would like to see more industries."

Mayor of Durham Councillor Ray Gibbon said the former Soviet-bloc states could use their heritage and culture to regenerate their economies.

"We are an increasingly international city and can help the delegates develop marketing skills to launch creative industries."