Day-trippers are being urged to visit North East pubs, cafes and restaurants that serve local food as part of a national campaign to encourage people to enjoy the countryside.

Your Countryside, You're Welcome is supporting North East Food Fortnight, an initiative backed by the Countryside Agency, to highlight the wide range of local produce on sale in the region.

About 50 establishments, ranging from small cafes to some of the region's leading restaurants, from Yarm, near Stockton, to Berwick, Northumberland, have pledged to include at least two locally-produced ingredients in their main meal.

The campaign, which brings together more than 50 tourism, business and countryside organisations, believes the promise of good, wholesome local produce is an excellent incentive for people to visit the countryside - whether it's to have a meal in a pub, visit a local tea shop or having a picnic.

Keith Buchanan, regional director of the Countryside Agency, said: "Wherever you live in the North East, you are not far away from wonderful open countryside - and many of the breathtaking views are at their best in autumn.

"What better way to spend a day than walking through rolling hills or enjoying the atmosphere of our vibrant market towns, rounded off with a hearty meal in a country pub or restaurant serving splendid local produce?

"Many rural communities depend on visitors, and much of the beautiful landscape we all enjoy depends on the work of farmers and food producers.

"By going to country pubs and restaurants and eating food that has been grown locally, people can play an important part in sustaining the vibrant, working countryside they get so much pleasure from visiting."

North-East Food Fortnight, the largest regional event planned for British Food Fortnight, runs until November 10.

It is being organised by Newcastle University's Centre for Rural Economy in conjunction with Northumbria Larder, the region's speciality food group, Teesdale District Council, the Hadrian's Wall Partnership and Fresh Trading Limited.

Karl Christensen, chairman of Northumbria Larder said: "By offering dishes that are made from local ingredients caterers are playing a key role in promoting the quality of North East food, not only to people who live here, but also to thousands of visitors to the region."

Where to dine in style on the fruits of the North

Where can you enjoy local produce? The following establishments have pledged to support North-East Food Fortnight:

Chadwicks, 104 High Street, Yarm, near Stockton, (01642) 788558; Bistro 21, Aykley Heads House, Aykley Head; Durham, 0191-384 4354.

Teesdale

Bowes Moor Hotel, Bowes Moor, Barnard Castle, (01833) 628331; King's Head, 52-53 Market Place, Middleton, (01833) 640467; Country Style Caf, 20 Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, (01833) 640924; Montalbo Hotel, Montalbo Rd, Barnard Castle, (01833) 6373420; Fox and Hounds, Cotherstone, Middleton, (01833) 650241; Moorcock Inn, Hill Top, Eggleston, Barnard Castle, (01833) 650395; Golden Lion, Market Place, Barnard Castle, (01833) 631287; Thorpe Farm, Peel House, Greta Bridge, Barnard Castle, (01833) 627242; Greta House, 89 Galgate, Teesdale; Eggleston Hall Coach House, Eggleston, Barnard Castle, (01833) 650553, Fax: (01833) 650553.

Northumberland

Archway Restaurant, 3 Old Church, Hexham, (01434) 606196; Redesdale Arms Hotel, Rochester; Otterburn, (01830) 520668/520660; Bamburgh Castle Hotel; Seahouses, (01665) 720283; St Aidan Hotel and Restaurant, Seafront, Seahouses, (01665) 720355; Branches Restaurant, Branch House, Stocksfield, (01661) 844264; Conundrum Farm Restaurant, Berwick, (01289) 308000; The Plough Inn, Allerdean, Berwick, (01289) 387206; Marsall Meadows Country House Hotel, Berwick, (01289) 331133, Fax: (01289) 221438; The Rob Roy, Dock Road, Tweedmouth, Berwick, (01289) 306428.

Northumberland Cheese Co, The Cheese Farm, Blagdon; (01670) 789798; The Tankerville Arms Hotel, 22 Cottage Rd, Wooler, (01668) 281581; Ord House Country Park, East Ord, Berwick, (01289) 305288, Fax: (01289) 330832, The Warenford Lodge, Warenford, Belford, (01668) 213 453; Pot-a-doddle-do, Borewell Farm, Scremerston, Berwick, (01289) 307107; Twice Brewed Inn, Military Rd, Bardon Mill, Hexham, (01434) 344534; Foxtons Restaurant Wine Bar, 26 Hide Hill, Berwick, (01289) 303939; Otterburn Tower Hotel, Otterburn, (01830) 520620, Fax: (01830) 521504.

Newcastle

Newcastle United Football Club, St James's Park, Newcastle; The Head of Steam, 2 Neville Street, Newcastle, 0191-232 4379; Caf Bar One, 229 Jesmond Rd, 0191-281 9703; Dene's Deli, 244 Jesmond Rd, Jesmond, 0191-281 8200; Country Whey, 8 Clayton Rd, Jesmond, 0191-281 4983; Live Cafe Bar Bistro, 27 Broad Chare, Quayside, 0191-232 1331; Cafe 21 (Ponteland), 33-35 The Broadway, Darras Hall, Ponteland; Cafe 21 (Newcastle), 19-21 Queen Street, Princes Wharf, Quayside, 0191-222 075