AN environmental improvement scheme for a Newton Aycliffe stream has been put back a year.

Great Aycliffe Town Council has delayed the start of work on Woodham Burn, which runs through the centre of town, until August next year.

The delay will give the council more time to raise the £100,000 it needs to complete the project.

Environmental ranger Jonathan Elmer said: "Although we haven't been unsuccessful in raising money. It has taken longer then we hoped.

"We won't have enough money to start the work this summer, and to be honest that was a little bit optimistic from the outset."

Officials are hoping the work, which will enhance the habitat for plants and wildlife, will be funded by grants, and have applied to Northumbrian Water, the New Opportunities Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Mr Elmer said: "The work needs to be done in the hot summer months because the water levels go down almost to a trickle.

"That means we can get on with engineering work on the bank side and it needs to have two or three months of low water to do the work."

The plans have already received planning approval, subject to conditions protecting existing wildlife.