COUNTY Durham’s newest road has been officially inaugurated by one of the region’s newest drivers.

Dan Curry, 17, was the first to drive along the road at the £45m DurhamGate development in his hometown of Spennymoor just days after passing his test.

As part of the regeneration of the site a new road system has been introduced to connect key housing and commercial areas of DurhamGate to the surrounding existing road network.

He drove along the new roads, which include the DurhamGate Boulevard, Eve Lane and Arlington Way, in a Citreon DS3 provided by Croxdale Motor Group.

Mr Curry said: “I didn’t expect this to be one of the first things I did when I passed my driving test, but I am very proud to have been chosen.”

Allan Cook, director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The new roads are an important element of the regeneration of this area and this was a great way to highlight the impact DurhamGate will have on the local area in the future."

Neil Foster, Durham County Council cabinet member for regeneration was Mr Curry’s passenger on the new road.

He said: “This development is very important to the County and our plans to enhance business investment and housing stock for local people.

“Dan did an excellent job driving me around DurhamGate, he was very confident and it was a smooth ride.”