THE BRETONS are being shown how to market their heritage by South Wales group Heritage in Action (HERIAN).

A delegation from Brittany's Cote d'Armor has visited Big Pit and Blaenavon Iron Works as examples of how Gwent's industrial history is being used to generate today's economic prosperity.

The French officials were briefed on the progress being made in creating trails between scores of former industrial sites to encourage outdoor activity, visitor spending and employment.

They're hoping use their own former paper and clothing industries as a focal point for a regeneration drive.

Mrs Monique Le Clezio, chairman of the Cote d'Armor economic development commission, said: "The willingness to bring local people into these projects is very important.

"They will be able to enjoy employment opportunities from visitors coming to the area through the restaurant, hospitality and other trades."

The delegation met Big Pit director Peter Walker and John Rodger, project manager at the Blaenavon World Heritage Site.

HERIAN director Jeff Pride said: "Wales has the distinction of being the world's first industrial nation because it was the first country in which more people worked in industry than in agriculture and many great milestones of the industrial age were achieved here.

"This, along with the colourful stories of the workers and their families who made history, gives us a big economic and community asset upon which we can build."

The Bretons also met representatives of Wales Tourist Board and SUSTRANS, the charity that promotes cycling, walking and other outdoor activities.

SUSTRANS manager David Morgan explained how hundreds of kilometres of disused railway lines and canal tow paths across South Wales are being turned into walking trails and cycleways. The visitors' trip was organised by the Assembly to cement links between Wales and Brittany.