AN initiative to encourage tourists to leave their cars at home and use bikes or public transport to go sightseeing has been supported by councillors in Teesdale.

The Tourism Without Traffic scheme was set up to reduce the number of visitors to tourist attractions using their cars as opposed to more environmentally friendly means.

Teesdale District Council has strongly backed the initiative and signed up as one of 16 local authorities around the country to take part in the scheme.

The Tourism Without Traffic programme is operated by Transport 2000, with funding the Countryside Agency and national support from the English Tourism Council, the Department for Transport, Sustrans, the National Trust and the Youth Hostels Association.

For several years, Teesdale council has introduced a number of schemes to promote walking, cycling and public transport in the dale for visitors.

Last year, the council piloted a Black Grouse Bus Service to bring people and their bikes from around the region to Teesdale for day trips, which proved highly successful and looks likely to continue this summer.

The council is also looking at reducing entry fees to local attractions for bus users and heighten its promotion of walking and cycling in the area.