THE establishment of a £1.5m football academy and the development of sports facilities are to be the main priorities for Ferryhill this year.

Executive officer Jamie Corrigan has outlined Ferryhill Town Council's vision for the next 12 months in his annual report.

Council members have recognised that football is the most popular sport in the town, especially among youngsters, and they want to make the most of that.

In his report, Mr Corrigan said: "It has been agreed that the priority major projects for the forthcoming year should be the development of a football academy in the Dean Bank area adjacent to the park and including the former Ferryhill Athletic football ground, as well as the redevelopment of Dean Bank Park."

Mr Corrigan said the projects, costing about £1.5m, would need work to ensure successful grant applications could be made, and promised the public would be consulted before any decisions are taken.

Other projects for the year include a Davy lamp monument to be placed on the A167 at the entrance to the town.

Continued efforts are also to be made to transfer the management of the market to the town council.

The Chamber of Trade will also be developed with a view to improving the appearance of the centre of town.

Mr Corrigan reviewed the successes of the past year, which included the Ferryhill youth caf, the extension to Duncombe Cemetery, the development of the Surtees Doorstep Green and improvements to the King George V playing field and Mainsforth Sport Complex.

He said: "This has been a successful year for the town council and Ferryhill as a whole.

"As the council continues to strive for a better future, it is important that it continues to promote, develop, and encourage true partnership and improve the town throughout the next 12 months.

"Ferryhill as a town has seen a lot of development in the past 12 months thanks to all public bodies, the increasing community spirit and the hard work of many dedicated people, both volunteers and paid workers."