THE derelict site of a former guides hall has been transformed to provide an attractive resting place for walkers.

Children joined residents and council officials for the unveiling of the £20,000 project which has risen from the ashes of Martindale Hall, Shildon.

Councillor John Sedgewick, chairman of Shildon Residents' Association, said: "We used to get a lot of complaints from people round about, especially by those who used to sit here.''

The artistic talents of the town's Junior Neighbourhood Shildon youngsters have added the finishing touches to the resting area surrounding the town's Millennium Garden.

Youngsters from St John's Primary School in the town were presented with the original artwork that they and other members of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme designed to decorate the seating area. They were helped with their designs by Middlesbrough artist Andrew McKeown, who attended the unveiling to present them with their work.

Secretary of the residents' association, Elizabeth Carr, said: "I think this is good for the community because it has cleared up an eyesore that has been here for about ten years. I think the effort made by the children has been wonderful.''

A partnership of the residents' association and Groundwork East Durham secured the funding for the project from sources including Barclays Site Savers, Northern Rock Foundation, the National Lottery, the Shildon Single Regeneration Project and Sedgefield Borough Council.

The garden lies on the Blackboy Path, originally a main railway line in the town.

It is now used by local people as the main route into the town centre.