WORK has started to create a village square outside a new community centre.
The development of a new "green heart" for the village of Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, is now underway.
The square is to form a gateway to the village’s new community centre, which has been built in Front Street to replace the former village institute and its landmark clock tower.
Coun Anne Wright, who chairs the Sacriston Development Group, said: "The heart of the village scheme aims to create an attractive green space which will both compliment the style of the new building and retain reminders of Sacriston’s heritage.
"Lots of new trees and shrubs will provide a backdrop for a specially designed clock, which replaces the clock tower of the former institute.
"Substantial tree planting will also create an overhead canopy which will enhance the green space of the memorial park."
Work on the £243,600 scheme is to be carried out by Service Direct, the County Council’s construction arm, and is expected to be completed by June.
It is the third phase of environmental improvements which have been carried out in Sacriston over the last three years by Durham County Council under the Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative.
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