PLANS were unveiled yesterday for a £140,000 project to transform a piece of rough land in Shildon.

The land, off Dean Street, will be known as Shildon Millennium Green and will include a wildflower meadow, wetland area and place for people to picnic.

Hedgerows will be planted around the edge of the 2.5 hectare site, along with a footpath which will allow access for people with prams and wheelchairs.

The project has taken 18 months to come to fruition and has been made possible by a £70,000 grant from the Countryside Agency and match-funding from local businesses and organisations. They include the County Durham Environmental Trust which has donated £9,300 and Bass brewery which has given £4,000.

The Shildon and District Countryside Movement (SDCM) had the idea to transform the land and many of its members have become trustees of Shildon Millennium Green.

Councillor Michael Hardy, chairman of SDCM, said: "It's going to be a beautiful place for everyone to use - especially children from local schools."

The Countryside Agency was given £10m by the National Lottery Millennium Commission to create millennium greens across Britain.

The Shildon land has been leased to the community by Sedgefield Borough Council and work is expected to start in about six weeks and be finished before Christmas. Trustees are working on the scheme with Groundwork East Durham.

Sally Rogers, millennium greens advisor for the Countryside Agency North-East, said: "Shildon Millennium Green will be a great asset for the local community, especially the children who will benefit from the newly created environmental and educational aspects of it such as the wetland area and natural planting.

"Local people have worked very hard to realise their vision and transform this former grazing land into a millennium green which can be enjoyed for its natural beauty by everyone for years to come."

ech