Teachers in Keighley and Bradford have helped pioneer a new way of experiencing the countryside through virtual reality.

Children throughout the country can enjoy exploring the history and geography of the landscape around picturesque Linton, near Skipton, by logging onto the Internet in a venture set up by staff at Bronte Middle School, in Keighley, and Ladderbanks Middle School, in Bradford.

Bronte IT teacher Mick Balmer and Brian Lafferty and Sue Hewitson of Ladderbanks, with support from the Youth Hostels Association and the Bradford & District Training and Enterprise Council, have set up a website which includes a virtual tour of the district.

Mr Balmer produced the photographs and the Ladderbanks teachers created the trail, which explores the geography and history of the area.

Now Mr Balmer is planning to involve school students in producing similar websites based on areas around other youth hostels.

"I'm hoping the website will stimulate the children to produce other websites based on Haworth and Malham," said Mr Balmer.

The Linton tour site includes photographs and charted a route around the village from the Youth Hostel.

It takes in the River Wharfe, historic buildings as well as the landscape.

"Schools planning to visit Linton can first of all have a virtual visit by downloading pictures and information which will take them round the area.

"They can see the geography of the area, the field structures and learn about the history," he said.

The Linton Project was developed after Linton Youth Hostel warden Mick Blaemires organised a workshop for teachers to develop teaching materials for residential groups.

"We've received tremendous backing for this learning resource from the TEC and the Youth Hostels Association," Mr Balmer added.

Pauline Thorpe, the TEC's teacher placement officer, said initially 14 teachers had visited the Youth Hostel in Linton in an exercise to see how the service could benefit teachers and pupils in the classroom.

As a result three teachers had set up the website which explored the countryside around the village.

A spokeswoman for the Youth Hostels Association said it was the first website of its kind in the country based on a youth hostel.

"It is a resource for teachers and provides information about the youth hostel. It is both educational and enjoyable," she said.

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