EAST Durham residents have been invited to help put one of the area's favourite beauty spots firmly on the map.

English Nature is calling on people familiar with Castle Eden Dene Nature Reserve to take part in creating a network of names to help visitors navigate the popular natural attraction.

It will be the first time that locally-used names along the walkways and bridges through the extensive and unspoilt woodland will be officially recorded, in a step-by-step guide to the reserve.

English Nature's community liaison officer, Sue Antrobus said: "To create this user-friendly map we want to tap into local knowledge in naming places within the dene.

"Some names, such as Gunners Pool and Devil's Rock reflect ancient folk stories and are already well known.

"But I hear people from the area come up with many others such as the Cave Man's Bus Stop and Deer Rock, names which have never been put down on paper before."

And it was these names that the project intended to officially record, Susan said: "We are also asking for local inspiration for some of the footpaths and bridges which as yet have no names.''

As well as giving a positive identity to features throughout the reserve, the venture will also help to produce a comprehensive guide for the thousands of visitors who travel to the dene each year.

To make sure as many people as possible have a chance to take part in the novel naming exercise, Sue is touring the dene and district with a roadshow.

She will be visiting libraries and community groups where she will be handing out special maps of the dene clearly indicating the areas which need a name.

Sue can be contacted on 0191-518 2403.