THERE are those who claim to be the top of the class when it comes to local knowledge, but now they can prove it as a university prepares to launch a degree course in North-East Studies.

The University of Sunderland course will look at every aspect of life in the region, from the start of industrialisation, in the 1800s, to the present day.

Students will get a grounding in the cultural, historical, geographical, economic, political and literary landscape of the North-East over the past two centuries.

The BA course is expected to attract interest from people looking at careers in areas such as regeneration, tour-ism, heritage and journalism.

It is being supported by Sunderland City Council, regional agency One NorthEast, Beamish Museum, regional MPs, VIPs and stakeholders.

The course comes at a time when the North-East is beginning to prosper and enjoy an international reputation.

It also coincides with the Newcastle-Gateshead European Capital of Culture bid and the debate on a regional assembly.

Programme head university academic Simon Henig said: "The course offers a completely new and innovative opportunity for study.

"We are the only university in the country to offer a programme on the North-East.

"We will look back at the region over the past 200 years - the development of the region in industrial and cultural terms up to the First World War, then the expansion in mining, shipbuilding and iron industries, to its decline and the region's renaissance.

"However, one of the major aspects of the course is to show what is happening now.

"The region is very dynamic at the moment and in lots of different areas. The university has the expertise to cover this diversity, be it history, tourism, politics, development, the arts."

Once the degree is up and running, from September, the university also expects to be able to offer short courses for people not wanting to study at degree level.

A programme launch on July 8 will include a lecture by Labour MP Joyce Quin, music and drama by students and traditional food and drink. For more information, contact 0191-515 3000.

Try our university challenge

Your starter for ten . . . how is your knowledge of the area you live in? Have a go at our quiz, just for fun (Answers below)

1 Who went to sea with silver buckles on his knee?

2 Who did Michael Turnbull succeed as the Bishop of Durham?

3 In which year was the Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead?

4 Where were The Gospels first translated into English?

5 Which North-East town was likened to Sodom and Gomorrah because of the fumes from its salt-making?

6 Which North-East church is known as The Lady of the North?

7 What is the name of the oldest floating warship in Britain, berthed at Hartlepool?

8 Who was the Stockton pharmacist famed for inventing the match?

9 Name the artist who created the Angel of the North.

10 What was the name of Bishop Auckland's Grand National winner in 1968