A STRETCH of North-East coastline once blighted by industry is celebrating 20 years of Heritage Coast status, which places it on the same footing as the world-renowned coasts of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. For Durham Heritage Coast, now called the Heritage Coast of Sunderland, Durham and Hartlepool, the journey to receive the designation was more challenging than most, after centuries of industrial activity had left its marks on the landscape. The successful £10.5m Turning the Tide project, a partnership of 14 organisations which launched in 1997, addressed many of the issues facing the coast, including the removal of 1.3 million tonnes of colliery spoil. When the project was completed in 2001, Heritage Coast status was awarded.