RURAL experts will explore the economic, social and environmental opportunities provided by the South Pennines landscape.

The Pennine Prospects conference will take place in Rochdale Town Hall on Friday, 11 October. Places are free but must be booked by Monday, 7 October.

Pennine Prospects chairman Pam Warhurst said: "The conference will explore how we engage with the emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire and the proposal for a regional park in the South Pennines."

In the morning the keynote speaker, Dr Michael Schwarze-Rodrian, will highlight the lessons that can be learned from the regional park experience in Germany.

The Emscher Park programme saw the redevelopment of one of the most polluted and environmentally devastated areas in the world: Germany's Ruhr district.

Speakers from Visit England and the Canal and River Trust, will focus on the opportunities around sustainable tourism and the waterways of the South Pennines.

David Hall, Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber at Sustrans, will be the final speaker of the morning and will set the scene for the Grand Depart of the Tour to France, which passes through the South Pennines in July 2014.

Following lunch delegates will be able to participate in one of four activities.

On offer there is the opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop: either making the most of cycling in the South Pennines or Voluntary action and the Watershed Landscape project.

Alternatively, delevates will be able to go on a site visit - either a tour of the Grade Listed 1 Rochdale Town Hall or seeing work undertaken in the centre of the town to open up the River Roch.

A conference flyer can be downloaded here. For full conference details, email Ann Atkins, call 01274 433536 or visit Pennine Prospects.

The conference is supported by the Watershed Landscape project and the South Pennines LEADER programme, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union.