THREE iconic arches in Shildon will remain in the town after local residents voted overwhelmingly to keep them.

A recent public consultation held by Durham County Council asked residents if they wanted to keep all of the arches, some of them, just the columns for new artworks or to remove them altogether.

More than 83 per cent of 347 people who voted asked for all of the arches to remain in the town. The council will now move to repair the arches at an estimated cost of £85,000.

County Cllr Neil Foster said: “We’re delighted that so many people in Shildon took part in the consultation and let us know what they wanted for the future of their town.

“We will now look to repair the arches as soon as possible to secure their future for Shildon.”

County Cllr Brian Stephens added: “It’s only right that local people get to have a say on how the budget for their town centre is spent and the result of the consultation is extremely clear that this is a priority for residents.”