AN online guide to Wear Valley for businesses, residents and visitors will be launched at Auckland Castle next week.

The Durham Dales Directory replaces a market town portal on the Wear Valley District Council website and goes live from Wednesday, March 29, on www.durhamdales.co.uk

There are links to local companies and suppliers and those without an online presence can set up their own mini site.

Visitors will get an up-to-date list of accommodation, attractions, events and activities, while residents can find contact information for tradesmen, community groups, libraries and job vacancies.

An Enterprise Agency spokesperson said: "The project aims to promote access to and use of technology by local people.

"A pilot project developing and testing the Durham Dales concept has created a visual identity for the Durham Dales that can be used across a wide range of tourism and business initiatives.

"The pilot aims to provide everyone who has an interest in promoting leisure, tourism and trade in Wear Valley with a clear and consistent vision."

The website includes a toolkit showing people how to use the Durham Dales brand as well as a catalogue of images and set of high-quality maps for local companies to use free of charge.