THE bleak landscapes left by centuries of toil in some of the region's remotest dales would seem unlikely tourist attractions.

But that could all change, if those behind a blueprint for preserving much of the area's lead mining heritage achieve their aim of breathing new life into farming communities still reeling from the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The authors of the North Pennines Lead Industry report hope to attract funding - and in turn, tourists - to an area which at one time was the centre of the world's lead mining industry.

The report earmarks important relics of the industry worthy of conservation.

It is hoped that the blueprint, compiled by the North Pennines Partnership, will spearhead efforts in conserving lead mining sites in areas of County Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland.

Thirty-nine sites have been identified for conservation and access work, almost half of which need repairs within five years.

Three key sites will be the Killhope North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale, County Durham, Nenthead Mines just over the border in Cumbria and Allenheads village, on the Durham and Northumberland border.

Ian Forbes, manager at Killhope, said: "This should be used as a stepping stone to the enhancement of the whole area.

"The landscape tells a story of life and industry important to our heritage which we need to tell."

About £2m has been spent at Nenthead to create three working wheels and restore village buildings.

David Flush, North Pennines Heritage Trust project manager, said: "We have already managed to tap into several grants for Nenthead.

"Hopefully, we can now secure more funds to make existing attractions more accessible and promote others."

Today, Allenheads is a farming village with a population of 300, yet in the mid-1800s it was a booming community.

With 300,000 tons of lead and ten tons of silver extracted over 100 years, it supported 2,000 families at its peak.

Brian Young, of the British Geological Survey, said: "In the 19th century this was the centre of the world's lead mining industry and, as recently as 1970, it was explored for other minerals.

"Nearly three million tons of lead concentrates came from North Pennines mines between 1666 and 1938, carried by ponies from 200 large shafts and hundreds of smaller workings to Hexham, then to Newcastle, to make roof sheets and pipes."

County councillor Bob Pendlebury, chairman of the North Pennines Partnership, said: "The lead mining industry once dominated the area both visually and economically, but now many of the features are abandoned and derelict.

"This action plan identifies the sites where we need to focus energy and resources to ensure they are understood and appreciated by present and future generations.