A village which is rising from the ashes of a former coastal pit is attracting hundreds of new home buyers.

Last weekend, more than 300 prospective purchasers visited the show-homes at East Shore Village, which skirts a stunning strip of coastline at Seaham, in east Durham.

The village, which is part of the ongoing regeneration of Seaham and represents an investment of more than £60m, is on the 33 hectare former Vane Tempest Colliery site.

The land, which overlooks the sea, was left derelict following the closure of the colliery 13 years ago but, in recent months, has been the subject of a reclamation programme carried out by English Partnerships' National Coalfields Programme, co-ordinated by the regional development agency One NorthEast.

The land is being developed by three house builders, Yuill Homes, Haslam Homes and Miller Homes, which are offering properties ranging from starter homes to luxurious dwellings.

On completion, East Shore Village will include 560 homes as well as retail units, a public house/restaurant, work units, a multi-use community centre and a facility for older residents.

The development consortium was chosen by One NorthEast, which is giving its full support to the creation of the community.

Sales negotiator at Miller Homes, Janet Wilson said: "We could never have dreamed that so many eager home buyers would cross our doors.''