COMMUNITY leaders are celebrating after winning a race against time to complete projects to improve their neighbourhood.

Ferryhill Town Council had six months to spend £150,000 on four schemes to improve the community.

The money was awarded by the Countryside Agency in November on condition that it was spent by the end of April.

The money has helped to improve a play area, a sports complex, a youth caf and a recreation ground.

One of the biggest projects was the creation of a Doorstep Green at the Surtees play area, which has been improved through landscaping, creating woodlands and footpaths, and installing railings, a youth shelter, seats and art features.

The initiative, the first of its kind in the North-East to gain approval from the agency, attracted grant money from other sources and is now rated one of the town's biggest assets.

Mainsforth Sports Complex also benefited with a perimeter wall, railings and a replacement fence.

Jamie Corrigan, the council's executive officer, said: "In the Northumbria in Bloom competition it was the second most attractive sports ground in the north of England, yet people didn't know it existed.

"That is because it was surrounded by an ugly, brown fence. Now we hope people will realise what's there and take advantage of it."

The money has also helped to complete the refurbishment of the Ferryhill Youth Caf yard, which will be used for activities in the summer.

The rest of the money has been used to complete phase two of the King George V playing field project, which includes footpaths, lighting, safety surfacing and a BMX track.

Representatives of the Countryside Agency visited Ferryhill to see how the money had been spent

Mr Corrigan said: "They said all the projects were superb and were really impressed by what we have been able to deliver.

"They were astounded by what we have done with the projects, with the money we've got and the fact that we've been able to do them in such a very tight time period."

The success of the projects should give the town council a good chance of obtaining grants for this year's schemes, which include the redevelopment of Dean Bank Park and the former Ferryhill Athletic football ground.