A RUN down corner of Bishop Auckland is being brought back to life through a partnership between property owners and two councils.

Regeneration grants are largely responsible for a revival in Forebondgate, where shops and flats are being restored and reoccupied.

The street, west of the Market Place, was once a thriving shopping and residential area, but became neglected as businesses closed down.

With businesses and tenants moving back, regeneration and heritage officers from authorities in the region have been given a tour of the area to see how grants of between £3,000 and £50,000 had made a difference.

The money has come from the Single Regeneration Budget administered by Wear Valley and Durham County Councils.

Anthony Toward has spent a year restoring a shop and flats in the centre of the street where he hopes to open a boutique called Chic-ago.

He said: "Bishop Auckland needs more quality specialist shops and Forebondgate is the place to do it.

"It is important to keep the character of the street and I have retained the building's original features."

Bryan Harris, the county's design and conservation officer, said: "Several businesses have received grants and it is already making a difference. New shops are already opening. The west end is nearly completed and the other end is work in progress. There is a great deal of will to smarten up Bishop Auckland.

"Consultants have drawn up a master plan for the town and Forebondgate is an important part of that because it has an enormous amount of character."