A £55,000 IMPROVEMENT scheme for Trimdon Village has been given the go-ahead.

Plans for environmental improvements along the Church Road shopping area in the village was approved at a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet. The proposal involves the resurfacing of the footpath with new flags.

Quality blockwork will be introduced at crossing points, where there will be new seating, feature lighting and artistic banners.

The road in front of the shops will be resurfaced with red tar and the parking layby in black tar. It may be possible to extend this to the front of the new Co-op and library.

Sedgefield council has set aside £45,000 from its regeneration capital programme and Durham County Council has agreed to make a contribution of £10,000 towards the scheme.

The proposals have been made after extensive consultation with the Trimdon 2000 group and the local community association.

Councillor for the area John Burton said: "We've done a lot of work in the centre of the estate. There's the new millennium green there and we've managed to get the Co-op to build a new store and library.

"The fact that the old shops, which were built in the 1950s, and the area around them will be upgraded is really exciting and it'll enhance that area, so we're really thrilled to bits about it."