THE second stage of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme for Spennymoor town centre is under way.

Earlier this month, the controversial fountain in the middle of the town was pulled down - signalling the start of phase two of the streetscape project.

The £15,000 fountain was installed four years ago to replace a statue which had been repeatedly vandalised.

But it was regarded as an eyesore by many and attracted vandalism and practical jokers, who filled it with soap flooding the street with foam, so its removal was key to the new street improvements.

About £250,000 will now be spent upgrading the heart of the town centre to match the top of the town, known as the Western Gateway area, which has already been revitalised.

The work will include flagstone paving and decorative railings, seating, improved lighting and possible artwork in High Street and up to the leisure centre roundabout.

Sedgefield Borough Council, which is carrying out the work with funding from the borough and town councils and regeneration agency One NorthEast, will also work on the roads on behalf of Durham County Council.

This will see the road through the town resurfaced and narrowed in four places to create safer pedestrian and disabled crossings and to formalise parking bays. It is hoped the work on the centre of Spennymoor will be complete by the end of November.

Next year should then see phase three carried out to continue the scheme at the bottom of the town including Cheapside and around Asda supermarket and the leisure centre, which is to get a £1.2m gymnastics extension.

It is hoped the overall scheme, which could cost up to £3.4m if work is also done on Festival Walk precinct, will help revive the town centre as similar projects in Shildon and Newton Aycliffe have already.