MONEY set aside by housing developers to provide play parks has been used to transform a wasteland into a community field.

The land behind Deneside Chase in the Etherley Lane area of Bishop Auckland has undergone a £24,500 renovation.

The work was carried out by Groundwork North-East and project manager Oliver Graham said it had been well received by residents.

Groundwork have installed new drainage, a pond, a footpath, dog litter bins and new fencing to enable nearby residents to use the grass for play.

They have also placed boulders in one corner of the field, which is owned by Durham county Council, to create a seating area.

Mr Graham said: “We spoke to residents before hand and this is what they said they wanted, the feedback has been excellent.”

The project was funded by Section 106 money, which is provided by developers wanting to build large housing estates in the area to pay for new play facilities.

West Auckland county councillor Rob Yorke said: “This is a massive improvement and one that has been welcomed by the residents.

“There are more than 180 houses on this estate, on one side they are bordered by a busy road so it is important they had somewhere on the other edge where the children could play.”