THE fortunes of an industrial estate have been transformed since it was spruced up.

Several businesses have been attracted to Chilton Industrial Estate since premises there were refurbished by employees of Prospect ILM.

The ILM team worked tirelessly to improve the units on the estate, on which only three units were previously let.

Through repainting, installing new flooring and smartening up the outside, the estate is now home to seven businesses.

Prospect ILM, which stands for Intermediate Labour Market, offers long-term unemployed people one year's work, which includes vocational and non-vocational training, paid work, and mentoring.

This enhances their overall employability and prospects of obtaining a job, or advancement to further training.

The industrial estate scheme is a partnership between Groundwork East Durham, Sedgefield Borough Business Service and Sedgefield Borough Training.

Paul Balmont from Sedgefield Borough Business Service said: "Previously the majority of the units on the estate were impossible to let. With the ILM's help we have more than doubled the number of units let. The transformation is fantastic."

Once all of the units have been transformed the employees will start work on a large scale planting scheme.

Steve Rogers of Groundwork said that the previously empty units at the estate had attracted anti-social behaviour, including youths smashing windows and spraying graffiti.

He said: "If there's more people on the estate it generates a sense of ownership and people are less inclined to vandalise it."