YOUNG villagers have had their pleas for new sport and play equipment heard.

Plans to create a £70,000 multi-games area (Muga) and youth shelter in Tudhoe, near Spennymoor, were given the go-ahead by council planners yesterday.

The decision to create the development behind St David's Community Centre follows almost a year of public consultation.

Sedgefield Borough Council's leisure department has held consultation events with schools, community groups and residents since last July.

Officers and councillors asked villagers what recreation facilities they would like to see replace the former Tudhoe Village Play Area, which was removed because of its age.

The overwhelming response was in favour of new play equipment for teenagers to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Spennymoor Town Council agreed to lease a small part of the enclosed playing fields at the rear of the community centre for the development.

Sport England had initially objected to the scheme on the basis that an area of playing field would be lost.

But the objection was withdrawn when the council agreed to install floodlight ducting for the Muga, making it easier and cheaper to install floodlights for the site at a later date.

Yesterday, the borough council's development control committee approved the scheme.

Tudhoe ward Councillor Barbara Graham, who is also cabinet member for leisure and culture, was thrilled with the decision.

Coun Graham said: "We have been working very hard to ensure the plans put forward have represented the views of local residents and local young people, as well as the residents' association.

"It is important that the plans reflect how members of the community spend their leisure time and what type of facilities they feel they need.

"The residents felt that the St David's area would be a great place for the development to take place.

"It means a great deal to the community and it is a positive move for young people in Tudhoe."