PLANS to extend a five-and-a-half mile nature trail at a cost of more than £200,000 are being considered by councillors.

The Great Aycliffe Way runs round the north-west side of Newton Aycliffe and along Woodham Burn.

The new route would start at the rear of Woodham Community College and link to a nature park off Clarence Chare.

It would join the original path at Westmoreland Way, along the disused Simpasture railway line.

Sedgefield Borough Council countryside officer Tammy Morris-Hale said: "The original Great Aycliffe Way was a fantastic project and a great success.

"We want to extend on it and make it more easily accessible, mainly because of the health and well being benefits for residents.

"People will be able to walk longer distances and try different routes and there are also lots of rights of way that can be accessed along the route.

"The new route will link up existing reserves at Byerley Park and the Moor with the nature park near the industrial estate.

"The nature park was gifted to Aycliffe Town Council by one of the companies on the estate on the promise it stayed as a nature reserve.

"It has remained practically untouched and is a haven for wild flowers and even a protected species, the great crested newt. We have submitted our application for funding and we are hoping for a decision that will mean we can start work this winter."

The original Great Aycliffe Way was completed in 1998 to commemorate 50 years since Newton Aycliffe was designated a new town.

Improvements would be made to the nature park, currently looked after by volunteers, which will enhance biological diversity in the area.

As well as the footpath, the route would include arts features, street furniture, information panels and bins.

If approved, the £204,505 project would be funded by Sedgefield Borough Council's Local Improvement Programme.