HOUSEHOLDERS are appealing to the good nature of building merchants to donate materials to help tarmac roads near their homes.

People living in Tindale Crescent, Bishop Auckland, say they cannot afford to repair the back street to make access easier.

Resident Adrian Morgan Hopper has taken to writing to businesses in the hope they may donate some free time and materials to give them a helping hand.

He said: "The council will not adopt roads which are not made up and a lot of people use this road near our houses.

"Residents cannot really afford to pay for the work so I started writing letters.

"We had a reply to one of the letters from Tony Duggan and Sons from Hayden Bridge who have offered to give us a JCB, a roller and two workers for free. Now all we need is to get the materials.

"I think that this response is amazing and I am now appealing to the goodwill of other businesses who may be able to help us out with sub-base gravel or tarmac.''

Anyone who can give Mr Morgan Hopper a helping hand can contact him on (01388) 458701.