CONTRACTORS have put an end to years of back street blues for a Bishop Auckland community.

People in Tindale Crescent appealed for help to resurface the road behind their homes, which has always been a mudbath.

Their plea was answered at the weekend when contractors donated materials and machinery.

Resident Jean Hopper said: "Over the past 30 years we have got out our barrows and filled in potholes, but we couldn't put up with it any longer. We couldn't afford to have the whole area resurfaced, so we asked for help."

Mrs Hopper's son Adrian wrote more than 100 letters asking businesses to donate their time and materials.

JCB driver Ian St Clair was sent by his company, Duggan and Son, from Felling.

He spent Saturday spreading 40 tons of road planings donated by a highway contractor, who has asked not to be named.

Resident Joan Dobson said: "We couldn't use the street in winter because it was so bad."