ONCE it was at the heart of Copperopolis — one of the world's most important areas for metalworking.

Huge quantities of lead, zinc, tin, copper and other metals flowed from Swansea's factories to help build the modern world.

Now the industrial heritage of the lower Tawe Valley has been mapped out in a new guide to the city's past.

Volunteers from the Swansea Community Boat Trust have put together a leaflet giving details of a trail from the marina to the Liberty Stadium, which links three dozen important landmarks from the city's mighty manufacturing history.

Among the highlights of the self-guided tour are the Pumphouse, now a pub but originally built to provide hydraulic power to operate the dock gates, the Norwegian Church in SA1, the remains of the White Rock Copperworks, and the Morfa Bridge near the Liberty, which used to open to allowships to sail underneath.

John Davies, project manager for the boat trust said: "The heritage trail leaflet was put together by local people who wanted to draw attention to the rich heritage of the Tawe Navigation and the copper works along its banks.

"Swansea Museums Service let us use some of its superb pictures, and these bring the historic landscape to life. We hope the guide will encourage more people to explore the area's remarkable history."

The guides were launched by the trust and Assembly Tourism Minister Alun Ffred Jones, near the remains of Morfa Quay, where copper was once loaded onto boats to begin its journey from the city.

The minister said the Assembly was delighted to be involved in supporting the community heritage project.

"I'd like to thank all those involved for their commitment and hard work to promote and interpret the rich industrial history of Copperopolis," he said.

"I hope that the leaflet is a great success and helps more people discover and engage with the history of the area."

The leaflets will be available at outlets in the city, including the Waterfront Museum and Swansea Museum, as well as being distributed to schools and community groups. The heritage trail is the latest project from the boat trust, which is planning to run regular trips along the river to give people a unique perspective on the city and its history. The trust has raised more than £100,000 in grant offers and services, but still needs a further £25,000 in match-funding. If funded is secured, it is hoped the boat could be making waves next year.

Council leader Chris Holley, who grew up in Landore, welcomed the new walking trail. He said: "In the 1700s, Morfa was open meadows, then the metal-working boomed and it developed into Copperopolis. We were left with the largest area of industrial dereliction in Europe.

"Historians and archaeologists have recorded the heritage, and a lot of people have put in a lot of work to bring the area back to life."