SCHOOLCHILDREN buried a time capsule near a south Durham church yesterday to mark the completion of a regeneration project.

Youngsters and teachers from the three primary schools in Crook gathered at St Catherine’s Church to put their snapshot of 2009 underground for future generations to find.

Rev Vince Fenton blessed the items and added images of the Reflections flower festival, which was held last week.

He said: “Whoever retrieves them will get a great deal of pleasure and will understand more about living in Crook in 2009.”

St Cuthbert’s RCVA Primary made a DVD of their old school after pupils moved to a new £2m building last summer.

Hartside Primary and Crook Primary put in artwork teamed with photographs of the town.

The time capsule celebrates £96,000 of improvements to the footpaths and stone around the church, the final phase of £1.8m of regeneration by Durham County Council.

Councillor Eddie Tomlinson said: “It is the culmination of what has been a tremendous regeneration project in Crook.”

Earlier work includes the re-paving of the Market Place, South Street, Church Street, improvements to Royal Corner, Hope Street, North Terrace and the war memorial.

Councillor Bob Young, cabinet member for environment, said: “The main aim of the work over the past nine years has been to create a more attractive town centre for residents, visitors and tourists.

“Each phase has sensitively and creatively re-designed important public spaces in a way that strengthens the appearance of the central area without losing its character.”