AN exhibition showing initial plans for the development of a market town will be held this weekend.

Consultants Taylor Young has drawn up the study as part of plans to create a strategy for the development of Chester-le-Street town centre.

The consultants have identified ten places that they have categorised as "opportunity sites" and a further eight "movement proposals".

Details of the sites will be revealed during the exhibition, which will take place on Friday and Saturday in the market place.

The proposals include potential housing, and environmental, economic, retail, transport and community initiatives.

During the exhibition, which runs from 9am until 2.30pm both days, the public will be able to see and comment on the proposals.

Residents can identify where they want developments or redevelopments.

Chester-le-Street District Co-uncil commissioned the plan as part of an overall regeneration strategy, which it says is designed to make the town centre "an attractive and vibrant hub for the entire district".

The plan will be refined during the year and the council will decide how to move the proposals forward.

Martin Walker, head of regeneration at the district council, said: "We are now at a stage in the process where we want to gather the views of local people, as these will be crucial in shaping a more attractive town centre for future generations."

Councillor Chris Jukes, the district's regeneration portfolio, said: "We regard the masterplan as an essential part of ensuring that Chester-le-Street District develops in a way that enables people to live, work and trade in a thriving community over the next decade and beyond that into the future."