A village is to see its playing field transformed into a landscaped recreation area.

A scheme to create a park with play equipment and seating at High Grange, near Bishop Auckland, has been approved by Wear Valley District Council's development control committee.

The field, which is off Green Lane, will be drained and levelled to allow sports and village events to be held next to the park.

Hunwick councillor Anne Newton said the it would be a wonderful facility for the community and praised High Grange Village Association for eight years of hard work on the scheme.