A CHURCH will play a role in ae £900,000 village refurbishment project.

The recent facelift of Durham Road, Chilton, began after the completion of a £9.1m bypass.

The road used to carry 18,000 vehicles a day, but has been curved and features wider pavements to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to use.

The facelift was designed by Durham County Council with local community representatives and the Durham Road Development Group.

Retired civil engineer Bob Kelly, who was part of the group, wanted the church to play its part in enhancing the road's new look.

Funding for the scheme did not include improving adjoining properties, but Service Direct and Balfour Beatty, who built the bypass, stepped in.

Mr Kelly said: "They have generously more than matched the successful fundraising efforts of the church to give the boundary walls of the 93-year-old building a makeover.

"A fresh paint job has also been carried out to the front of the building and we are looking to finish off our own rejuvenation with new tarmac around the building.

"We raised the majority of our funding for the boundary wall from a sponsored walk of the bypass, which was extremely well supported by the people of Chilton, Rushyford and Windlestone."

The project was funded by £2,000 from the church, £3,000 from the company and work in kind to the value of £3,000 from Service Direct.