VILLAGERS are to be asked how best to spend a new £20,000 community fund.

Residents of Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, are being asked by the local police and council how best to spend the money which has been set aside to fund new local projects.

Members of the public are invited to vote on how it should be spent at the annual Party in the Park due to take place on Saturday, July 30 between 11am and 3pm at The Fulforth Centre and Village Square.

The free event includes family activities and everyone from junior school age and above will be able to vote for their favourite projects.

Funding has been pledged from a number of organisations including, Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership, Sacriston Parish Council, Durham Constabulary and Durham County Council.

Gemma O’Brien from the Sacriston Community and Sports Trust, said: “We have done a lot of work with the local community to get ideas about how we could improve Sacriston for the benefit of residents through an a community initiatives.

“A long list of possible projects has been put forward and now we need people to vote for the ones that they feel will make the most impact locally.

“They range from a community garden to shop front improvements and everything in-between.”