A REGIONAL park running through the heart of Mid Cheshire has the potential to bring major recreational, leisure and economic benefits to the area, a conference heard.

The first conference to discuss the concept of regional parks across the North West took place this week in Frodsham, which will be the northern gateway to the Weaver Valley Regional Park.

Stretching through Northwich and Winsford to Middlewich, the new park would be within one hour's drive of more than four million people.

Aims include building on the area's salt legacy to celebrate its unique heritage created over centuries of salt extraction and processing within the Weaver, Dane and Wheelock valleys.

This would be used to regenerate towns and rural areas, promote tourism and recreation and boost new business opportunities, say those championing the park.

'It could take several years before all these plans become a reality, however the main concepts for all regional parks were agreed at the conference,' said Cheshire's Environment Executive member Andrew Needham.

'The conference was a positive step forward and gave all key decision-makers from local, regional and national organisations in the private and public sector, a deep understanding of the range of opportunities available and as well as how to develop ideas.'

Supporters of the Weaver Valley Regional Park include Cheshire County Council, the North West Development Agency, Vale Royal and Congleton borough councils, British Waterways, The Mersey Forest, Groundwork, the Mersey Basin Campaign and the Environment Agency.

Jon Griffiths, British Waterways' regional general manager, said: 'The Weaver Navigation provides the vital connecting link within the Weaver Valley Regional Park.

'Boating has already increased by 500% since the reopening of the Anderton Boat Lift in 2002 and the river has huge potential for promoting new leisure and tourism.'

Presentations at the Regeneration Conference concentrated on practical insights of existing and emerging projects including the ongoing development of a regional park in the Ruhr region of Germany since 1989.

Helen France, the NWDA's executive director of development and partnerships, said: 'The agency is committed to maximising the economic benefits that regional parks can create and this conference was a great opportunity to bring key partners together to share experiences on those initiatives.'

For copies of an information leaflet about the Weaver Valley Regional Park, call 01244 603174.