A COUNTY Durham village has received a further £52,000 from the estate of a benefactor.

Retired estate agent Wilfred Barker donated £10,100 to help the community of Gainford, near Barnard Castle, when he was alive - but insisted on staying anonymous.

Mr Barker, a bachelor who lived alone, gave an initial £100 to set up a charitable trust, then donated £10,000 for local amenities in the village.

Before he died in February, at the age of 96, he promised to leave more money to help the village, saying he had grown to love it since he moved into a bungalow there 38 years ago.

Officials of the trust finally named him as the village's mystery benefactor ten weeks after his death, so that they could issue a public tribute to his generosity - and now they have received the extra £52,000 to continue giving the local support that he started.

Mr Barker left £2,000 to the trust in his will, and his family has handed over a further £50,000 from his estate in his memory. His relatives do not want to be identified publicly.

Brian Blackburn, chairman of the trust, said: "This is absolutely wonderful for the village.

"We are a very lucky community to have all this money at our disposal to help all walks of local life.

"We now have £64,000 in the kitty which will earn about £3,000 a year interest.

"We will use that to support local organisations, and only dip into the capital for exceptional reasons. Everyone is extremely grateful to Wilfred."

Mr Barker was born in Darlington. On leaving school at 15, he joined Freeman's solicitors. He became a managing clerk before joining the fire service in 1938. He set up a business as an estate agent, auctioneer, valuer and claim assessor in Garden Street, Darlington, in 1945. He retired at the age of 71.

After moving to Water's End, in Gainford, in 1969, he never took part in local activities, but he was regularly seen strolling round the village - a tall, upright figure, always immaculately dressed in smart suit, collar and tie.

In 1989, he contacted Mr Blackburn, then secretary of the village hall, saying he wanted to donate to village life. His first £100 was used to set up the Gainford Parish Charitable Trust, and as soon as it was formed he donated £10,000.

The trust has given £4,000 towards a heating system at the village hall, plus donations to the local luncheon club, surgery, playgroup, school, tennis coaching and Scouts.

Thanks to interest that has built up, and two other £1,000 donations, it still had more than £11,000 earlier this year.

Mr Blackburn said: "His money has done a lot of good for Gainford. He has made an excellent impact on local life."