A Rock Detectives geology club for youngsters will be launched next month.

The club will be based at Harehope Quarry, in Weardale, and is one of three in the North Pennines area to offer visits and trips to museums, natural features, quarries and mines.

Part of a European programme, the club starts on November 12 and is open to children aged between six and 12.

Activities include underground visits to Killhope Lead Mining Museum and Nenthead Mines, trips to High Force, Cauldron Snout and Cow Green, mineral and fossil searches, a look behind the scenes at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, a tour of Newcastle's Hancock Museum and storytelling sessions.

Rock Detective kits are collected at the launch and subsequent events. Admission is free but there is a £1 joining fee.

Chris Woodley Stuart, from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: "We'll be taking the lead on developing clubs of this kind and sharing with colleagues across Europe the experiences of ourselves, the group leaders and the participants."

To find out more about Rock Detectives clubs, call (01388) 528801.