VILLAGERS have been given the results of a survey into what people believe needs to be done to improve life in their communities.

An appraisal is being carried out in Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill, in County Durham, that will form the basis of an action plan to address local concerns.

Households were sent a questionnaire in the summer and the results for Coxhoe were given to residents at a meeting held in the village hall on Saturday.

Appraisal committee joint co-ordinator John Hepplewhite said: "Each village ranked traffic and road safety as being crucial areas.

"The next thing was community safety. It seems to be more a fear of what groups of young people might do rather than what they have actually done.''

Mr Hepplewhite said that meeting the needs of youngsters, the majority of whom caused no trouble, would be one of the main issues looked at following the study.

The appraisal is being carried out by Coxhoe Parish Council, which obtained a grant from the Countryside Agency.

Results of the questionnaire, a central part of the process, were collated by the Durham Rural Community Council.

An action plan will be developed by March, highlighting things that can be done to improve the area.

Mr Hepplewhite said the city and county councils, police and health authorities would be invited to discuss residents' views.

He said that the turnout for the Coxhoe meeting had been good, as had the one held previously at Quarrington Hill, which attracted 75 people.

Mr Hepplewhite said: "People enjoy being involved in the process rather than having things imposed on them.''