THE discovery of gold under parts of the Pennines could bring a rush of prospectors to the area, landowners are being warned.

The British Geological Survey, a government agency, has found the precious metal in several areas of north-west countryside.

Farmers are worried that pan-handlers could try to cash in, and in doing so damage the countryside.

An influential pressure group says there is a real danger of 'Klondykers' invading the area.

Country Landowners Association regional secretary Jolyon Dodgson said government licenses could be granted for gold extraction or investigation of potential gold sites.

But he added: "None of these consents give any person authority to enter on to the land of an individual owner or disturb the minerals that lie between the surface and the gold. Any prospector must negotiate and agree terms with the landowners."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.