A TOWN centre is to be given an extensive renovation to revitalise it as a shopping venue and improve the environment for visitors.

Residents are being urged to share their views on the ideas for Spennymoor, which have been drawn up by Sedgefield Borough Council planning officials.

The council has until the end of the month to submit plans for works to High Street, the main shopping area and the Western Gateway, a main route into the town.

The plans are for stages two and three from a 12-point plan which will see the whole of Spennymoor regenerated. The first stage, to widen, clean and light a walkway from the leisure centre to the town, has already been completed.

The plans will then be used in the latest bid for grants towards the cost of the overall scheme.

Between £3m and £4m is expected to be spent on the whole project, with funding from a number of sources including the borough and town councils.

It is also hoped the project will be supported with Urban Renaissance funding from Durham County Council for town and village renewal.

A bid for up to £1.8m has also been submitted to One NorthEast for single programme funding which is to be shared between six major centres in the region.

Spennymoor is thought to be a front-runner for this cash as the plans are advanced.

An exhibition of the proposals was held in the town's leisure centre on Monday, and a public meeting gave residents and traders a chance to air their opinions on how the town should be redeveloped.

Proposals for High Street included resurfacing tarmac footpaths with Saxon buff paving and changes to the road to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

Ideas for the Western Gateway, which includes Clyde Terrace and the town centre round-about, include decorative railings by the roadside and new flagstones.

Seating may also be added to the area and public art features, which would be designed after public consultation, erected at three sites.

Diagrams of the proposals are available at the town library and Sedgefield Borough Council hopes to produce leaflets to encourage more feedback.