VISIONARY plans to transform the centre of Chester-le-Street with £12m worth of investment are under way.

The project is among the biggest ever to affect the town and will involve creating a new "civic heart" which will become the town's central focal point, a heritage trail, a community woodland out of the Great North Wood and redeveloping the main shopping street and market.

George Mansbridge, head of economic development at Chester-le-Street District Council, said the project will completely change the face of the town.

He said: "This is a major capital investment looking at how the town centre looks. The idea is to create a much more attractive town centre where people would choose to come and live and shop."

A lot of the development work will begin in September and is expected to take place over the next two years.

One of the first initiatives will involve revamping the market place and turning it into a more specialist market, with arts and craft stalls.

The council has commissioned a Sheffield engineering company to create stalls which will be given to traders to try out for next three or four weeks. Once they have settled on a design popular with market holders and customers they will install permanent stalls with canopies. Some of the 232 stalls will also be axed, to prevent the market looking empty.

Another project at the top of the council's agenda is creating a focal point for the town, in front of Chester-le-Street Methodist Church. There are plans to install art work, seating and space for venues such as concerts.

Mr Mansbridge said: "We're in the process of putting together a final design. It will be quite spectacular."

Other plans include creating a heritage trail through the town. Ancient coins dug up in Chester-le-Street will be recreated and set in the pavement to lead people on the route, which will look at the town's Roman, Anglo Saxon and industrial past.

Woodland in the town is also to be cleaned up and paths established.

Engineers and designers are competing to submit plans for the various strands of redevelopment. Although the council has gathered opinions from community groups and schools, a big exhibition about the proposals is expected to take place in June or July.