IMPROVEMENTS to the centre of a former pit village are due to get underway.

The £120,000 scheme for the centre of Annfield Plain, near Stanley, includes new high quality stone paving in West Road.

A lay-by will be created outside the post office and improvements will be made to the pavement. Paving will also be renewed on the opposite side of the street in front of the pub in West Road and into Front Street.

The project will take eight weeks to complete and includes new bollards, litter bins and ornamental street lighting.

Funding comes from Durham County Council's urban renaissance budget and local transport plan, plus grants from English Heritage, Derwentside District Council and Annfield Plain Community Partnership.

It follows a similar £89,500 scheme by the county council to rejuvenate West Road and a separate project to upgrade shop fronts under the heeitage economic regeneration scheme.