The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – stretching across 2,000sq km of parts of County Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland – has become the first area in Britain to be awarded the status of European Geopark.

The landscape of moorland and dales is the second largest of the 41 AONBs in England and Wales and is well known for its wildlife and scenic qualities. It also has a world-class geological heritage and this, together with past and planned conservation efforts, has led to the Geopark designation being awarded to the area.

The title is supported by UNESCO, was first established in 2000 and is for an initial three-year period from June 2003.

Other areas which have gained Geopark status have seen considerable benefit from it, with increases in both nature-based tourism and funding for conservation.

North Pennines AONB Office, Christopher Woodley-Stewart said: "The Geopark designation will help raise the profile of the area and of AONBs both here in the UK and in Europe.

"It won’t replace the AONB designation but will be something which sits alongside it and helps to send a message about how special the North Pennines really is."

The North Pennines AONB Partnership – the joint advisory body for the AONB – consists of 27 public, statutory and voluntary organisations with an interest in the area. In establishing the area as a European Geopark, the partnership had strong backing from the British Geological Survey (BGS).

BGS District Geologist, Brian Young, said: "The North Pennines AONB has a world-class geological heritage that we are very keen to share with visitors to the area." Details: www.northpennines.org.uk