Hutton Magna's News Box was ceremonially opened last night.
The village purchased the former telephone kiosk from BT for the sum of just £1, following the decision to close it down.
It had been used as a convenient dropping off point for the daily newspaper deliveries, and this has now been formalised with the kiosk renamed as "The News Box".
After the telephone equipment was removed, the interior was lined with cork tiles to form a weatherproof community information notice board.
The cutting the ribbon ceremony was performed by Jim McTaggart, former editor of the Teesdale Mercury, aided and abetted by a surprise visit from Dr Who.
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