ONE of the region's most popular beauty spots is to receive £50,000 to help it survive the rigors of the summer.

Castle Eden Dene, one of County Durham's National Nature Reserves, has not only suffered from the summer downpours, but has been a victim of its own popularity.

Every year, the picturesque wooded valley, which stretches through Peterlee to the coast, attracts thousands of visitors to its footpaths.

It is this 12-mile network of walkways that has suffered from a continued foot-pounding, coupled with the waterlogged conditions.

This year's increased rainfall has also accelerated the growth of vegetation, which is now encroaching on many of the footpaths.

In a bid to combat the problems, the Turning The Tide project announced yesterday that it was joining forces with the Millennium Commission to carry out a £50,000 facelift on the dene.

The bulk of the money will be spent on rebuilding and repairing footpaths, but a substantial sum will also go towards the upgrading of several bridges, new drainage and the clearance of entrances into the dene.

The tract of woodland has long been a favourite with both local visitors and tourists from outside the area, and custodians of the dene are anxious that it should be kept in a well-maintained but natural condition.

Part of the reason for its popularity is that the ancient woodland is home to numerous rare and endangered flora and fauna, including an indigenous population of red squirrels.