EURO MP Stephen Hughes visited south Durham yesterday to see how European funding has been spent in the area.
With the Euro elections taking place on Thursday, Mr Hughes met members of Spennymoor Chamber of Trade to see the first phase of a streetscape scheme in the town centre.
He then went to South Durham Training and Jubilee Fields Community Centre, in Shildon, to meet trainees and community volunteers.
Residents and business people in South Church and West Auckland, both near Bishop Auckland, spoke to him about flood protection schemes being installed by the Environment Agency. He also visited the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle.
Mr Hughes said: "It is good to see first hand projects that have received European grants and see how that funding is being used to enhance people's amenities and quality of life and to protect their homes, lives and livelihood."
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