A VISION of where residents want Sedgefield borough to be in ten years' time has been unveiled.

An area with 5,000 job opportunities, increased educational attainment levels, less fear of crime and anti-social behaviour and new and affordable housing are some of the points highlighted in a new document.

Sedgefield's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) has developed a draft Community Strategy setting out its vision for the area.

It identifies key issues and actions that would help Sedgefield become a more prosperous, attractive and healthy place in which to live, work, play and invest, as well as to visit.

A spokesman for the partnership said: "All organisations involved within the LSP are looking at how they can change their services to become better co-ordinated and more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the borough's communities.

"It is critical that the vision is supported by people who live and work in Sedgefield.

"The LSP is, therefore, seeking the views of all concerned and is using a variety of methods so people can become aware of the strategy and how to comment on it.

"Please remember this is your borough and together we can make a difference."

Copies of the draft strategy will be available in all libraries and housing offices within Sedgefield borough.

Copies will also be posted on the partnership's website - www.sedgefieldlsp.org.uk - and the borough council's site - www.sedgefield.gov.uk.

Summary strategies will be posted to all community and residents' associations and will be available on request from Sedgefield Borough Council's regeneration section.

The strategy will also be a discussion item at each of the council's area forums next month.

Meetings will be held on the following dates: Spennymoor Forum - Monday, September 1, at Tudhoe Community Centre, at 6.30pm; Ferryhill, Chilton, Cornforth and Bishop Middleham Forum - Tuesday, September 9, at Cornforth Community Centre, at 6.30pm.

Trimdons, Fishburn, Sedgefield, Bradbury and Mordon Forum - Wednesday, September 17, at Fishburn Community Centre, at 7pm; Shildon Forum - Tuesday, September 23, at Shildon Leisure Centre, at 6.30pm.

Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Village and Middridge Forum - Tuesday, September 30, at Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices, at 6.30pm.