VILLAGERS have been urged to influence the future of their communities.

The Countryside Agency awarded the A1 Corridor Community Investment Partnership £57,000 a year ago to fund parish plans for villages between Darlington and Bedale. Questionnaires have been sent to 4,000 homes requesting feedback on community priorities.

Public exhibitions have been announced, starting at Barton next Wednesday, in the village hall, from 3pm to 7.30pm, covering Barton, Middleton Tyas, Skeeby, Newton Morrell, Manfield with Cliffe, Cleasby and Stapleton.

North Cowton Village Hall hosts the next on Thursday, October 30, between 3pm and 8pm, covering North Cowton, Croft, Dalton and Eryholme.

Another will be held at Catterick Village Hall between 3pm and 7pm on Monday, November 3, covering Catterick Village, Tunstall, Brough with St Giles and East and West Appleton.

The final one will be at Scorton Village Hall between 3pm and 8pm on Tuesday, November 4, covering Scorton, Brompton-on-Swale, Uckerby, Ellerton and Bolton-on-Swale.