THE relocation of a war memorial will mark the completion of a big regeneration project in Shildon.

It is hoped that the memorial, which is situated in the churchyard of All Saints Church, will be transferred to its new site in nearby Redworth Road, in time for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony on November 10.

Its relocation, plus the completion of paving works, landscaping and a bus shelter adjoining the Railway Institute in the town will cost Sedgefield Borough Council an estimated £52,000.

David Snell, chairman of New Shildon Residents' Association, said the work was welcomed by local people, who specifically requested that the war memorial be moved to a more central spot.

He said: "Residents thought it would be nice to move the memorial down into the built-up area which is more central.

"At the moment, it is a little bit out of the way and people have quite a walk to get to it.

"It is a really nice position, opposite the Railway Institute, and it will set off that little bit of grassed area quite nicely.''

Thousands of pounds have already been spent on the regeneration of the New Shildon area, which will eventually become the home of a £7.7m national railway museum.

The railway theme has been a focal point for much of the work, which has seen the erection of a signal box on the roundabout that joins Byerley Road and Redworth Road.

And 120-year-old cast iron gates from London's Euston Station have been restored to take pride of place in Redworth Road.

Mr Snell said: "The area really is starting to look nice.''

Other work in the pipeline includes the demolition of a small building on the corner of the industrial estate which was once a doctor's surgery.

The building will make way for the widening of the junction to make access on to the industrial estate safer and easier.

The revamp has also encouraged residents to push forward plans for a new community centre which they are still in the process of designing.