A project to create an activity site looks likely to be realised next year after receiving its biggest cash boost to date.

Coxhoe Community Partnership aims to establish Coxhoe Skidzone on a field in the village.

Covering more than 2,500 sq m, the project is expected to cost £300,000. It will be made up of areas for skateboards, BMX bikes, mountain bikes, roller skates, and trikes, as well as a wildlife conservation area.

The Cyclone area, modelled on a road system and complete with signs, will teach youngsters road safety skills.

The project has attracted funding from several sources, including Durham County Council, Durham Housing Partnership, Sherburn House Trust, and East Durham and Houghall College.

Now, thanks to its biggest single donation yet - £25,000 from the Countryside Agency's Vital Villages scheme - it has reached the £43,000 mark.

Barbara Hepplewhite, secretary of the Coxhoe Community Partnership, said she was confident of meeting the target.

"We were hoping to have the money by the end of September and to get started by October, but now we are hoping to start next spring," she said.

"We will be aiming to have it all finished by this time next year.

"We have three funding applications that we expect to hear about soon, and we have two other applications that are ready to go.

"It's a very ambitious project, but we feel as if there's nothing in the area for teenagers and there's certainly nothing for cycling."

The scheme follows the partnership's success in raising £242,000 for Coxhoe Kids Zone, which is next to the Skidzone site, and is used by children within a ten-mile radius of the village.

Ms Hepplewhite said Skidzone will be overseen by the leisure centre, which would run activities on the site. It will be monitored by security cameras and include park benches, a terraced viewing area and floodlighting.

"Parking facilities and refreshments will be available at the leisure centre and people will be able to come down on their bikes on the cycle tracks," she said.

"We want to see it very well used."

* Coxhoe Community Partnership will meet tomorrow, in the Cricketer's Pub, starting at 7pm. Members will discuss the village's forthcoming funday, taking place on Saturday.