Hadrian's Wall is one of the most visited areas of the region

Regional development agency One NorthEast announced in December it wanted to dissolve the Northumbria Tourist Board (NTB) and set up a new promotional unit.

Talks have been taking place between the two organisations, amid concerns from many of the 1,500 small business members of the NTB that the move could seriously damage the region's tourism industry.

A campaign was mounted in an effort to save the NTB.

On Friday it was announced that 38 staff employed by NTB are to transfer to One NorthEast.

Although the staff are to remain at their Durham city base, they will work to officials at One NorthEast.

The transition was agreed at the latest meeting between the chief executives of NTB and One NorthEast.

It will secure the future for NTB staff working in Durham and at the Hadrian's Wall Tourism Partnership office in Hexham, Northumberland.

From 9 February, One NorthEast will be holding a series of meetings with NTB workers.

Alan Clarke, chief executive of One NorthEast said: "This is a really positive step forward, as not only are we protecting the invaluable staff that work in both Durham and Hexham, but we are also continuing to support the 1,600 tourism businesses who are members of NTB."