NEW facilities could be created for youngsters as part of a scheme of improvements for a former pit village.

Groundwork East Durham and Durham City Council's Single Regeneration Budget Six are drawing up proposals to brighten up the centre of Ludworth.

Groundwork East Durham has been awarded a £9,000 grant from Barclays Sitesavers that will be used to create a Teen Zone.

The organisation has been working with Ludworth Youth Club over the past year and plans to create facilities for BMX bikes and skating.

Project officer Glen Duckett said: "It is good to see that young people are so committed to making a real difference by providing facilities for themselves within their community.

"Groundwork will help them with fundraising, design, engaging the local community and linking to other agencies, as well as ensuring that the group enjoy themselves along the way.''

Jimmy Turnbull, the city councillor for the village, said: "Any initiatives to help young people in the village are greatly welcomed.

"These projects are a good start for us. However, we do need more people in the village to help us to make Ludworth a better place to live."

Improvements planned for the heart of the village include landscaping and work at the front of the post office.

SRB community co-ordinator Lyn Boyd said: "It is great to see that some of these projects are now taking shape."