One of the North East’s most scenic landmarks is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its official opening.

Kielder Water is celebrating its Ruby anniversary today, 26 May.

The land mark is wanting to celebrate in style with several plans to mark the occassion - including a big tea party.

The reservoir, is arguably Northumbrian Water’s most famous asset with costing £167m and seven whole years to construct before being put into supply for customers across the North East. 

The water company’s supply area covers 2.8million customers and many businesses and supports 450 jobs in the local area.

The 200 million litre reservoir is a part of Northumbrian Water’s efforts to support green power generation and hosts the largest hydro power plant of its kind in England, with a capacity of 6,000kW.

The anniversary also unlocks a special memory, as in 1982 HRH The Queen arrived in Northumberland alongside her husband HRH Prince Phillip to declare Kielder Water officially open for supply.

Speaking at the time of the opening, HRH The Queen said: "This scheme stems from a long and distinguished British tradition - ingenuity and skills which have found expression in the past in the creation of canals, railways and roads and have met a 20th century challenge with imagination.

“Natural resources have been made to serve our needs on a scale which only a few decades ago would have seemed unthinkable."

Speaking about the anniversary - David Hall, Head of Commercial at Northumbrian Water, said: “It feels very poignant that we are celebrating this ruby anniversary just days before The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is set to take place.

“We are just as proud of the work put into Kielder now as we were 40 years ago, and as well as continuing to serve the public’s water needs, the site is still one of the region’s most popular tourism destinations.

“I hope that we will continue to see the site enjoyed and treasured by families, adventurers, travellers and of course locals over the next 40 years.”