Experts are deciding how to best promote the wall

It is hoped more visitors can be attracted to historic Roman landmark Hadrian's Wall, which stretches across Cumbria and Northumberland.

The Economics Research Associates (ERA), who helped promote the Tower of London and Stonehenge, has been appointed to improve tourist numbers to the Roman wall.

They will work to create a plan to increase the number of visitors, the amount of cash they spend in the region and the length of time they stay .

In May, a �6 path stretching 84 miles along the route of the wall will open.

David Camp, from the ERA, said: "The challenge facing Hadrian's Wall is that it is so big. Stonehenge is a simple site that you can visit, and it is an image that the world knows.

"We need to raise the profile and image of Hadrian's Wall to a level where people do recognise it as well as Stonehenge."

Researchers have looked at tourist attractions from around the world to see how to best promote the wall and have talked to local people who will be affected by any decision.

Mr. Camp said: "It's not just about the wall, it's about increasing tourism in the region as a whole.

"We want to spread some of the economic benefit throughout the area."

'Floodgates open'

However, other people are concerned that a rise in tourists will be bad for the area.

Richard Dodd, of the Countryside Alliance, said: "It's opening the floodgates. Sometimes you can control the numbers that you get and sometimes you can't.

"Too many people walking along the wall will chase the livestock away."

He also feared that many farmers would not be able to cope with any changes to the area.

A spokesman for regional development agency One North East, who are also involved in the project, said any tourism would help business in the area and not make things worse.

About 1,250,000 people visit the wall each year.