A NEW partnership led by the Northwest Development Agency and Sustainability Northwest aims to regenerate North-west England.

The partnership, made up of some of the region's leading experts in regeneration and land reclamation, plans to make a major dent in the levels of dereliction across the region.

The emphasis will be on developing "brownfield" rathern than "greenfield" sites.

A quarter of England's derelict land -- much of it contaminated -- is within the the North-west.

The region also suffers from the lowest tree cover of any region and includes 18 of the top 50 most deprived districts in England.

Mr Mike Shields, Chief Executive of the Northwest Development Agency, said: "The land reclamation review will look comprehensively at both the actual position on the ground and the range of methods available for tackling dereliction and contamination and also help to deliver clear priorities for action.

"The experts we have put together for this Review represent some of the leading figures in regeneration and their findings will make a major difference to the region."

The Land Reclamation Review has already talked to 400 regional stakeholders.

Further consultation events will be held during November and December and the final report -- which will include specific recommendations for regeneration priorities -- is due out in Spring, 2000.