WORK to give a County Durham former pit village a facelift is almost complete.

The final stage of a £183,000 regeneration project in Front Street, Cockfield, is about to begin.

The work on the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme is expected to cost £62,000 and will involve replacing tarmac and concrete with high-quality paving and granite setts outside the village post office.

The work has already made a noticeable difference to the village and is encouraging people to get more involved in other community projects, said Keith Quigley, chairman of the Burnt Houses, Esperley and Cockfield Partnership.

He said: "This is definitely having a knock-on effect. In the past, Cockfield has been a bit of a dilapidation area. It has been a long time coming, but now people are seeing public money getting spent on it. People are seeing things getting done and things like the village recreation area are really taking off."

Wheelchair access to the post office will also be installed and bus stops and bus shelters will be improved.

The project has been part funded by county councillor John Priestley out of his allowance.

He said: "I'm a councillor for this area and it's nice to see the scheme getting finalised. It has made a big difference to the village."

Councillor Bob Pendlebury, the county council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "It gives the whole village a lift and builds a momentum for everyone to carry out high-quality improvements in the future."

Other funding for the project has come from English Heritage, Teesdale District Council, Durham County Council, Teesdale Disability Access Forum and regional development agency One NorthEast.

Earlier phases of the scheme involved installing paving and street furniture, grass verge enhancement, granite sett parking bays and stone bollards on the village green.

The work is expected to take four to six weeks.