BLYTH VALLEY

borough (district), administrative and historic county of Northumberland, England, on the North Sea coast northeast of Newcastle upon Tyne. The port of Blyth, the borough's largest town, was an early centre of the salt industry and later a coal port and shipbuilding centre. After the demise of these industries in the late 20th century, the port shifted to servicing Britain's North Sea oil and gas industry, and light industry developed in both Blyth and Cramlington. The town of Seaton Delaval had strong links with the landowning Delaval family, for whom the classical-style Seaton Delaval Hall was built (172029). The borough is mainly urban and suburban but contains some open countryside and woodland. Area 27 square miles (70 square km). Pop. (1998 est.) 80,700.