ACTION is being called for to improve a town centre over concerns that a shopping mall has become run down and is an eyesore.

Worries have been voiced by Councillor Ben Ord, of Durham County Council, over the state of Festival Walk shopping centre, in Spennymoor.

Coun Ord, also of Spennymoor Town Council, feels Festival Walk is run down and in urgent need of action.

The 1960s shopping centre is in the hands of administrators at present while a solution is sought to the issue.

Several groups like the county council and Spennymoor Area Action Partnership are involved in seeking a solution.

Coun Ord said: "It’s been a long-term problem and in these economic times money is not easy to come by.

"But we need to look at the place to see what we are going to do about it. It could take a long time to sort any plan out.

"People walking into town see it and it’ll put people off coming into Spennymoor.

"I would like to see it demolished and a wide high street built there instead as it’s an eyesore in the town."

Coun Ord said many of the shop units in Festival Walk were standing empty and he did not think they would be occupied soon.

He was part of a group, which included county council officers, who recently visited the site to see the condition of the buildings.

Plans are in the pipeline to build more than 100 new homes in Spennymoor and Coun Ord felt the extra council tax from these could help pay for any plans.

He has raised the matter at county council meetings and is keen to see the authority take action over Festival Walk.

The county council is seeking a solution but admits the subject is complicated and could take some time to resolve.

Sarah Robson, head of economic development with the county council, said: "Councillors have visited the site with regeneration officers.

"We are aware of the problems and are trying to address them, but with such complex issues this will be a long term problem to resolve."