Television viewers could help strengthen the North-East's place on the national tourism map by supporting two historic sites as they bid for money towards their restoration.

A former Second World War prisoner of war camp in County Durham will feature in tonight's episode of the BBC series Restoration, in which properties compete for up to £3m towards their repair.

Harperley POW Camp, near Wolsingham, competes with Ravensworth Castle, in Gateshead, and the Glass House at Wentworth Castle, in Barnsley, for a place in the live national final later this month.

Viewers of Restoration, on BBC2 at 9pm, can vote for the building they want to secure the funding it needs to be restored.

If successful, PoW camp owners James and Lisa McLeod can start restoring the huts almost immediately, and press ahead with the creation of a major visitor attraction with a museum, garden centre and camping facilities.

The development is a key feature in a plan for the economic revival of Weardale, which has been hit hard by job losses, and is expected to benefit the rest of the region by creating a diverse package of attractions for visitors.

It is expected to bring 50,000 to 75,000 visitors to the dale in the first year, and Mr McLeod hopes it will grow each year.

He said: "Eden Camp gets 300,000 visitors a year, so we hope to get something similar eventually. We hope people vote for us because then we can get on with the work straight away."

Bob Pendlebury, chairman of Northumbria Tourist Board, said it was vital that the camp had financial input so it could be opened to the public as soon as possible.

He said: "Harperley has the potential to be a valuable tourism and educational centre for local people and those from across Britain, Europe and America.

"It is certain to increase economic activity in the North and for Weardale, particularly for accommodation-providers and businesses on the A68 and A689 roads.

"We need a stimulus in the area, and Harperley could be just that. It is different to existing attractions and increases the package, so will hopefully encourage people to spend an extra day or two here."

A spokesman for regional development agency One NorthEast said: "Anything that showcases the North-East's cultural assets and demonstrates that we have projects of sufficient interest to be featured on television is good for the region."

Supporting Harperley's bid is documentary-maker Michael Wood. He studied at Oxford, where he undertook postgraduate research in Anglo-Saxon history. He is now the writer and presenter of television series which include Conquistadors, In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great and Saddam's Killing Fields.

He said: "I think Harperley Camp is the loveliest and most touching story in the whole Restoration project.

"So often our heritage gets presented to us as the possession of the rich and powerful, palaces and fortresses and stately homes.

"The camp could not be more different or less glamorous. It is just a bunch of crude concrete huts. But when you walk inside, the past comes alive in the most magical way, and it tells you something very important about history.

"History is about living connections. In this case, with the experience of our parents and grandparents who fought for our future.

"But, even better than that, the story shows you how former enemies can become friends. Many of the Germans who were prisoners there married local girls and had children, and many of the others bring their own children and their grandchildren back. They became friends, even though we still want to beat them at football."

Comment - Page 10