THREE-YEAR plans are being drawn up for a number of villages.

Residents in the Mid-Durham Area Action Partnership area, which includes villages such as Lanchester, Esh Winning, Ushaw Moor and Brandon, are being asked to contribute to development plans for their communities.

Drop-in sessions will take place from today through to July 26 at 16 different villages in the area at which residents and community groups can have a say on possible improvements.

A spokesman for the partnership said: “They can also highlight their group’s needs and we will add these to the plans which will also provide a better chance of addressing those needs when we are all working together to solve them”.

More than 1,000 people took part in a similar consultation exercise, last held in 2013.

Issues raised at that time included work on roads, paths, shop fronts, community facilities, play, transport, allotments and of course litter and dog fouling.

Groups which contribute to the plan will be in with a chance to win £500 towards their project, with the winner drawn at the Area Action Partnership board meeting which takes place in Satley Village Hall on September 13 at 6pm.

A list of all dates and venues for drop-in sessions can be found at durham.gov.uk or contact the organisers via 07557 541 413.