PLANS to improve two of Wear Valley's market towns are forging ahead with the appointment of two action plan managers.

Funding has now been allocated to appoint managers for both Crook and Stanhope as part of the recently launched Market Towns Initiative.

It is hoped that the new posts will be up and running in September and will play a key role in generating business and promoting a positive future for the towns.

The initiative, funded by the Countryside Agency and regeneration agency One NorthEast, aims to pump cash into rural communities.

Community partnerships have been formed and residents have put forward what they would like to see achieved in Weardale.

'Health checks' have also been carried out in both Crook and Stanhope to assess the economic, social and environmental state of the towns.

An action plan outlining possible projects for the future has also been submitted to the Countryside Agency.

Businesses have been offered the chance to create their own websites through the Market Town ICT Portal.

And demand for the facility has already exceeded expectations with more than 60 businesses applying.

Coun Eddie Tomlinson, chairman of Wear Valley District Council's regeneration committee, said the appointment of the two market town managers would help develop ideas already presented.

He said: "If we did not have somebody who was actually responsible for pushing these ideas forward it would be just left to a committee.''

Money from the Countryside Agency and One NorthEast will only fund the positions for three years but Coun Tomlinson said he hoped that the posts would be permanent.

He said the project would complement other initiatives. Other Wear Valley communities, including Willington and Weardale, would benefit.

Sue Dawson, head of economic environment, said that the amount spent in the towns would depend on what local communities wanted.

She said: "The market town manager will help develop initiatives to meet the communities needs.''