THE chief executive of Easington District Council, Paul Wilding, has announced his early retirement.

Mr Wilding, who has spent 28 years with the council in nine different roles, was appointed to the post in 2000.

He has been influential in regenerating the district, including leading the council's successful bid for Enterprise Zone status in the mid-1990s which has created more than 6,000 jobs for the area.

He also worked with the owners of Peterlee town centre to achieve a £25m refurbishment, involving the relocation and provision of a new police station, fire station and magistrates' courts.

The most significant symbol to the regeneration of the area in the time that Mr Wilding has been with the council is the £40m Dalton Park retail and leisure development near Murton.

The retail park has brought more than 800 new jobs and recognition as one of the top shopping centres in the North-East.

There are now plans for a second phase which will emphasise the leisure element and create a further 300 jobs.

Mr Wilding had a major role in the Seaham Regeneration Strategy, which in partnership with several other agencies has led to the creation of new industrial estates, such as Dawdon and Foxcover, and the redevelopment of the former colliery sites, as well as the relocation of the Seaham Harbour Dock Company.

Mr Wilding was also the initiator of the Settlement Renewal initiative, which led to a programme of economic environmental and social improvements in the former colliery villages.