HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds will be spent improving two areas of Wear Valley.

But residents of one village are angry because they say they have been ignored.

Wear Valley District Council has earmarked £362,000 of section 106 agreement money - donated for recreation and play by housing developers - for Crook, and £84,000 for Hunwick.

But people living in Howden-le-Wear are angry that no money has been reinvested in their village, despite a number of new housing developments in their area.

At a public meeting in Howden-le-Wear Community Centre on Wednesday evening, residents expressed their bewilderment that an estimated £29,000 "sweetener"from Broseley Homes had yet to be spent almost four years after homes were built.

Another three developments have also been proposed for the village, but residents say they have yet to see a benefit.

Resident John Phelan said: "They are pouring people into Howden, but there's nothing being provided for them. There are no amenities.

"There are no sports facilities, no library, no cinema, no doctors or dentist. There's nothing here for the people, yet we've got all these new houses being built.

"This has been going on for four years and the money just seems to be sitting in a bank account. Howden could be getting a lot of money - but how long will it be before it gets spent?"

Plans to spend section 106 money just a few miles away were announced by the council yesterday.

The money allocated to Crook will be spent on improving the play area, changing rooms and disabled access at Glenholme Leisure Centre, work on Crook Town FC's Millfield ground and better security at Glenholme bowling club.

In Hunwick, improvements will be carried out to the cricket ground, a football pitch will be provided and a number of trees planted. Crook South ward councillor Geoffrey Mowbray said: "We have listened to the people of Crook to find out what they wanted the money to be spent on.

"The people want new play areas, so we have looked to see that there is a need."

The district council was unable to comment on funding for Howden-le-Wear yesterday