NEARLY 400 people gave their opinions on how to make Barnard Castle a better place during a three-day consultation earlier this month.

Organisers and council leaders said they were happy with the outcome of the exercise, which asked shoppers, visitors, traders and residents how they wanted the market town to look in 20 years.

The results of the consultation are expected to be announced next month, when an initial draft vision of the future shape of the town is published.

Teesdale District Council is seeking feedback from throughout the dale on how to bolster Barnard Castle's economic vibrancy.

Visitors to the consultations were asked what they liked and disliked about the town, what they wanted to change, what facilities were missing and what they considered were the key issues for the town.

Council leader Councillor Ken Robinson was delighted at the level of response to the consultation. He said: "It does not surprise me though, given the degree of passion there is locally in the appearance and well-being of our town, both now and in the future.

"I can reassure people who responded to our trawl for views and ideas that their input was absolutely essential to our visioning exercise, and I am confident that what emerges in the draft vision next month will reflect much of what they had to say."

Andrew Lord, of Ekos Consulting, said: "This is one of the most enthusiastic responses to a consultation event we have seen for some time. We are grateful to everyone who provided their views and look forward to their response to the draft vision."