VILLAGERS are celebrating after long-awaited improvements to their sewerage network were announced.

Work is about to begin on a £250,000 scheme in Hurworth, near Darlington, in January.

The 12-week programme will be carried out by Northumbrian Water near the Otter and Fish pub, and has been praised by community leaders.

Hurworth parish council chairman, Peter Foster, said: "The sewers in some places haven't been able to cope in recent years, so this will be very much welcomed.

"I hope they remember that we have planted a lot of daffodils and done a lot of environmental work on that corner. If they leave it as they found it, the scheme will be a big advantage."