A COMMUNITY garden has been dedicated to a man who was known locally as the "village grandfather".

Newfield Community Association paid tribute to the life of William Willis by installing a monument in the centre of a recently developed garden in his honour.

The monument, which was made of granite from Frosterley Quarry, was blessed at a service conducted by the Reverend Tom Wilkinson.

Mr Willis, who died at the age of 99 last December, had lived and worked in the village almost all his life.

He was a founder member of the community association. He was also a stalwart of Newfield Methodist Chapel until it closed in 1999, a preacher for six decades, and over 75 years taught several generations at Sunday school.

Even when he left his Stonebank Terrace home of 60 years to move to Dellside sheltered accommodation, in Willington, near Crook, he kept in touch with his old neighbours so he knew what was happening in Newfield.

A spokesman for the community association said: "Mr Willis was a lovely man and an important part of the village. He was so dedicated to the area, in particular the chapel.

"Back in the 1960s the site was an absolute mess. It was used as a dumping ground by people, but in the 1970s Wear Valley District Council took ownership and tidied it up.

"We recently had support from Groundwork to add planting and a seat which makes it nice to use for all residents. Dedicating it to Mr Willis seems a nice way for everyone to remember him."