A COMMUNITY-SPIRITED resident has saved his town a "significant" sum of money by putting it on the world-wide web.

Fred Simpson spent several months designing a website for Ferryhill Town Council which would help to keep residents informed about activities and services at the click of a mouse.

A Ferryhill Town Council spokesman said: "The development of this website by a local resident demonstrates many of the best qualities of a local town council in touch with and representing its local residents.

"This not only saves the local taxpayers a significant sum of money, but also ensures that every resident can at any time view what their town council is doing for them and the town.

"We welcome comments from local residents on any local matter as we can use these as a basis for our future policy development."

The authority's leader, Councillor Bernie Lamb, said: "I am delighted with the new website and would like to thank Fred Simpson for all his efforts in developing it for us. It is a fantastic job and one which will not only be used by local people but around the world."

The new website includes details of all the services provided by the council including its allotments, four public parks, cricket ground and the E Caf youth facility.

It also includes details of events organised by the town council and other local organisations such as the annual town gala.

The website features details of most organisations in Ferryhill, from the residents associations to the local angling club, as well as the town's many sporting clubs.

One of the most important features of the new website is a presentation about the options open to the town for the future of its sports facilities, such as the construction of a football academy.

The town council will issue an information leaflet and questionnaire to every household in Ferryhill to seek local views on the project, which will be one of the biggest ever undertaken by the authority.

The website can be viewed at www.ferryhill.gov.uk.