VILLAGERS have been urged to influence the future of their communities.

Last year, the Countryside Agency awarded the A1 Corridor Community Investment Partnership (CIP) £57,000 to prepare parish plans for villages between Darlington and Bedale.

Questionnaires were sent to 4,000 homes, requesting people's priorities for their communities.

The replies have now been condensed into documents, outlining objectives for each parish.

However, nothing will be agreed before residents have had another opportunity to ratify each plan.

A series of public exhibitions have now been announced, starting at Barton on Wednesday next week.

A1 Corridor CIP spokeswoman Melva Steckles said: "The Countryside Agency is keeping a close eye on us because this is the first time plans have been drawn up for a number of parishes at the same time.

"Proposals include the generation of more business and employment at the Gatherley Road industrial estate in Brompton-on-Swale, and the plans for the army museum at Marne Barracks in Catterick, but every village has had the chance to have its say.

"We hope, as a result, parish councils and meetings will have a better idea of what local people want and will be able to channel their efforts accordingly.

"We need residents' input because it's important that each parish plan is individual and does not just look the same."

The Barton exhibition will be held at the village hall between 3pm and 7.30pm and covers the parishes of Barton, Middleton Tyas, Skeeby, Newton Morrell, Manfield with Cliffe, Cleasby and Stapleton.

North Cowton Village Hall hosts the next event, on Thursday next week, between 3pm and 8pm, covering the parishes of North Cowton, Croft, Dalton-on-Tees and Eryholme.

Another will be held at Catterick village hall between 3pm and 7pm on Monday, November 3, covering Catterick Village, Tunstall, Brough with St Giles and East and West Appleton.

The final exhibition will be held at Scorton Village Hall between 3pm and 8pm on Tuesday, November 4, and covers Scorton, Brompton-on-Swale, Uckerby, Ellerton and Bolton-on-Swale.