A TOWN is urging its residents to have their say on how millions of pounds could be spent on future regeneration.

The scheme, called Shildon Voices, Shildon Choices is aimed at gathering views from the town's residents on how its share of £5m, set aside by Sedgefield Borough Council, should be used for the regeneration of old buildings and land in the area.

Shildon Town Council clerk Mick Waterson said: "Sedgefield Borough Council will be holding its own consultation exercise throughout the wards in its area, but we wanted to see what the whole of Shildon wanted.

"So we have put some extra money aside to launch Shildon Voices, Shildon Choices. We have a wide range of organisations and local people who are working together to ensure as many people as possible who live and work in the Shildon communities put forward their views.

"By giving everyone the opportunity to have their say on the many good and bad things that affect their lives, the results of the survey will provide a true picture of the needs of our community."

An open day at Shildon Civic Centre tomorrow will include displays by organisations which could potentially benefit from what the money is spent on.

They include schools, residents' associations, Shildon Junior Football Club and community groups.

Officers from Shildon Town Council will also be available to answer questions and discuss ideas.

Sedgefield Council announced earlier this year that it was creating a Local Improvement Programme from money it had made from the sale of land to housing developers.

The sum of £1m will be released each year for the next five years and will be made available to schools, community groups and town and parish councils.

Some of the schemes that could benefit from the cash include refurbishment of village halls, the transformation of waste land into a park, or the creation of sports facilities.

The open day at Shildon Civic Centre tomorrow runs between 2pm and 4pm and 6pm and 8pm.