VILLAGERS gathered to pay tribute to a hard-working civic figure who did much to help her community before her husband's death last year.

The re-naming of the main room at the community centre in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, in memory of Christine Smith, will be combined with a celebration of the revival of the village's junior football side later this month.

Both were causes close to the heart of Councillor Smith, the long-serving former parish and county council member for the area. She died at her home in Ouston after a short illness last September.

During her public life, she spent a quarter of a century on Durham County Council, representing Ouston and Urpeth division from 1989. She also sat as a magistrate and on many boards, including regional development agency One NorthEast.

Coun Smith also chaired Ouston Parish Council, and among causes she supported were the development of the village community centre and the revived Ouston Juniors Football Club.

The parish council will officially dedicate the main hall at the community centre in Iris Crescent to her. It will be known as the Christine Smith Room and a plaque will be unveiled later this month.

The event will also double as a celebration of the success of the fledgling football team - £800 will be presented to manager and coach Kevin Stone to boost club funds.

The parish council contributed most of the money, with some from the county council, both bodies Coun Smith served on.

Parish clerk Miriam Maddocks said: "There will be something like 100 people coming to the event, which is an opportunity to remember the work she did for the community.

"There are lots of people in the parish and involved in the community centre who appreciate all the efforts she put in over the years, and I think it was felt this was a fitting way to recognise her contribution."

Past and present parish and county council colleagues will be joined by fellow local Labour Party members at the evening, at the centre, on Wednesday, April 25.

The public is welcome to attend, with proceedings beginning at 6.30pm