THE site of a former valleys pit could be turned into a tourist attraction in an ambitious £10 million scheme.

Markham Colliery closed in 1986 but the area could be revitalised under a scheme being considered by Caerphilly borough council.

One proposal could see an agricultural college being developed on the site. The council is looking at a number of ways in which to develop the northern Sirhowy Valley, including the communities of Manmoel, Hollybush, Argoed and Markham - and has commissioned a feasibility study to gauge the viability of proposals.

The study suggests there is a "unique opportunity" to conserve the landscape by turning it into a Welsh cultural regional park.

At the hub of this would be the Markham Colliery site, with proposals for an agricultural college similar to that at Usk and which would specialise in teaching skills such as dry-stone walling and hedge-lying.

Other proposals for the site include the development of a visitor centre, bunkhouse accommodation for visitors, a covered equestrian centre and lakes and water features. There could also be a memorial rock sculpture that would commemorate the Markham Colliery.

Argoed councillor Mary Hughes said: "When the colliery closed it was like the death knell for the valley and there hasn't been anything here since.

"This project gives everyone hope for the future and as far as everyone here is concerned it is the saviour for the northern end of the Sirhowy Valley."

Although the scheme may take as long as six years to complete, other improvements for the four villages,such as increased parking facilities, may be implemented within the next few months.

If the project is deemed viable funding will be sought from various sources such as Objective 1, the Community First fund, the Welsh Development Agency and from within the budget of Caerphilly borough council itself.

The Argoed ward qualifies for Communities First and Objective 1 funding due to high levels of unemployment and deprivation which were exacerbated by the closure of the colliery in 1986.

A spokesman for Caerphilly council said: "The cultural park will be unique to Wales and will build on the very attractive landscape in the northern Sirhowy Valley.

"One of the aims of the project is to create job opportunities upon the site of the old colliery through various proposals."

He added: "We also want to create a visitor centre which would serve the country park." Once established the country park would be expected to draw thousands of visitors each year keen to view the landscape using the network of cycling and walking paths that would be built.