THE continued enhancement of Spennymoor town centre is among this year's priorities for Sedgefield Borough Council's regeneration team.

Improving conditions in the borough's disadvantaged neighbourhoods is also included in a list of schemes.

The total budget for the council's regeneration services capital programme for 2003/2004 is £800,000.

Sedgefield's cabinet this week approved a strategy for spending the available money.

Work in Spennymoor town centre includes improving the appearance of the western gateway between Cambridge Street and the High Street/Clyde Street junction.

The Shop Improvement Grant Scheme will continue, and there will be work to improve the High Street and Festival Walk. There will also be money for improving Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe and Shildon. Environmental improvement schemes in Dean Bank and Ferryhill Station will continue.

Proposals from the West Ward Area Masterplan in Newton Aycliffe will be implemented.

The improvement of the Church Street shopping area in Trimdon Village is also included in the strategy, and a scheme will be introduced to support improvements promoted by the community throughout the borough.

Economic development activity will be targeted towards schemes on the Chilton, Hackworth (Shildon), Heighington Lane (Newton Aycliffe) and Green Lane (Spennymoor) industrial estates.