BOTANIST David Bellamy launched a series of walks across the region's farmland which will give visitors an insight into how farmers are helping to preserve its landscape and wildlife.
Six new routes, some over land previously closed to the public, have been devised for the Countryside Gateways Walks scheme.
Each walk takes in farms that are part of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) countryside stewardship scheme which rewards farmers for improving the natural beauty and diversity of their land.
The venture is a joint project between Defra, The Countryside Agency, Durham and Northumberland county councils, English Heritage and English Nature.
Professor Bellamy launched the scheme at the start of one of the walks, near Bradley Hall, near Wolsingham. There is another County Durham walk at Cotherstone and four in Northumberland. Leaflets, with maps and photographs are available from tourist information centres
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