CHILDREN from a small primary school are helping guide thousands of visitors around some of the region's most spectacular countryside.

Pupils at Forest of Teesdale School and communities from across Upper Teesdale, County Durham, have helped produce a storywalk to bring the area to life for walkers.

Youngsters and people living in Teesdale worked with storyteller and environmentalist Malcolm Green to devise the 5km circular route, which starts and finishes at Langdon Beck Youth Hostel.

Leaflets, illustrated by Northumberland artist David Hall, take walkers on a journey around the landscape through the words of farmers and people who have shaped it over the years.

An activities sheet has also been created for families and groups of young people to enjoy along the route, and tells the tale of a young boy's search for hidden treasure in the dale.

Headteacher Carole Connolly said it was exciting for the school, which is the smallest in the county, and nearby communities to be part of the project, which was completed in collaboration with Teesdale Arts Development Agency.

She said: "Everyone at the school and lots of residents are thrilled to have been part of this. It has taken about a year to create the route, compile the stories and test the activities.

"It is great to work as a community to promote the area and these leaflets will be a great benefit to groups visiting the dale.

"They will keep children entertained and interested in the countryside and remind locals of how wonderful Teesdale is."

Leaflets will be distributed through Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle tourist centres, outdoor centres, youth hostels, schools and libraries.

For a copy, call Rosie Cross at Teesdale District Council on (01833) 696280.