By Phil Mawson BBC News Online, Newcastle

Durham's ground lies in the shadow of Lumley Castle

Learned experts at Durham University suggest a respectable set of zeros for an area still remembered for its coal mines and steelworks.

The hard-working women of Shuttleworth Ladies Sewing Group have done their bit to make it all a success.

Along with the Flame Community Arts Group, they designed street banners which will welcome the thousands of people expected to witness England take on Zimbabwe.

They spent weeks making the banners based around the 10 Test match playing nations

Their combined efforts at the local community centre are testament to how warmly the prospect of big-name sport is anticipated.

The same goes for head groundsman Dave Measor, who has not had a holiday from his work with the Durham club for 20 years.

He began his career at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool in 1978 on a government job creation scheme.

He said: "Summer holidays, what are they?

"It would be a proud moment for any groundsman to prepare a Test pitch.

Durham's cricketing milestones December 6, 1991: Durham is awarded first class status April 14-16, 1992: Durham play their first class match against Oxford University May 1997: Phase Two of the ground is officially opened by Kevin Keegan May 1999: The ground hosts its first international match between Pakistan and Scotland November 14, 2001: Announcement confirming Durham to host Test cricket for the first time

"We have had a big game here every year since I became head groundsman in 1998.

"There was the World Cup in 1998 and, since 1999, we have had a one-day international every year. But there's something special about a Test match.

"I just hope the pitch plays well. That is where the job satisfaction comes in - when you see the players go out there and have a good game of cricket. That's what it's all about, that's what puts a smile on my face."

But not all are as keen as they. The match, which starts on 5 June, will be the scene of protests against the regime of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.

And while the police and Durham County Cricket Club are full of reassuring noises, the prospect of pitch invasions and placard waving demonstrators has sent shivers down the corporate back of club and sponsors alike.

But the hope is that the banks of television cameras will steer away from the protests and concentrate on the game and the magnificent setting that is the Riverside ground.

There is no doubt that a lot rests on the success of the match.

Durham chairman Bill Midgley believes the games will significantly raise the profile of the club and the north-east of England.

He said: "When we did a survey of the value of the cricket club to the region, the value to the image of the North East was put at �60m.

Ex-England bowler turned reality TV star Phil Tufnell has backed Durham

"The Test matches will prove a great advert for the region and we believe people will come back to the area once they see what we have to offer."

Experts at Durham University reckon satellite television, newspaper and radio coverage of the Test match is equivalent to spending about �60m marketing the region.

The study, by the university's business school, also claims more than round �12m will be generated by the 80,000 spectators expected to travel to the region.

The game will also bring up to �250,000 into the Durham club itself.

Northumbria Tourist Board chief executive Peter Sloyan said: "We view county and international cricket as being an ideal platform to promote the region.

"We know the region suffers from a mixed perception, but people will come to events like this and see the North-East for the attractive, dynamic and ambitious area it is."

Bill Midgley concludes: "This is enormous and really puts County Durham at the top end of English cricket as one of the seven Test playing counties.

"There is no higher accolade and it is testimony to the facilities we have at the ground and the quality of the pitch."