The Heritage Lottery Fund is considering a �1.9m grant to retain historic buildings as well as preserve areas used by wildlife.

The project would be focussed on the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

An 18-month study is being carried out to see how the cash could be best used.

Among other things, the cash would be used to preserve native woodland, maintain historic structures and increase historic building conservation skills.

Industrial heritage

Also being considered is the development of horse rides and mountain bike routes exploring routes used for moving lead from former mines by pack ponies.

AONB officer Chris Woodley-Stewart said: "This is excellent news for the North Pennines and it is thanks to the involvement of many people and lots of organisations over a number of years that we have come this far."

Keith Bartlett, regional manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "The distinctive landscape of the North Pennines has a wealth of natural and industrial heritage that is very special to the area."

Durham county councillor and chair of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, Bob Pendlebury added: "This is a real milestone, which will allow us to encourage even more people to be involved in our glorious landscape and at the same time help implement the North Pennines.