THE grounds of a former rectory is now home to a life-size willow structure honouring a County Durham town's history.

A crowd of residents from Sedgefield gathered in the Stepping Through Time garden at Ceddesfeld Hall for the unveiling of the statue named the Dashing Vicar.

Created by artist Victoria Conner, of the Willow Barn, near Thorpe Thewles, the piece of art is a nod to the village heritage.

Now home to Sedgefield Community Association, the Georgian-built Ceddesfeld Hall was built in 1793 as a home for the rector of Sedgefield.

A wooden gate leading out of the rectory wall to the side entrance to St Edmund’s Church allowed him to dash to worship without getting wet or bumping into parishioners.

Lay preacher Michael King officially unveiled the structure, presenting it with a bible created from oak, on Saturday.

He also marked the garden open following a two year project which has seen Sedgefield in Bloom volunteers transform the previously overgrown plot into a "beautiful woodland garden" complete with willow tunnels and creatures in the trees.

Sedgefield in Bloom publicity officer Norma Neal said: "We look forward to seeing the garden develop and thrive over the years, providing a suitable welcome to this important building. Our Dashing Vicar looks completely at home."