A FORMER pit village will be transformed when the final phase of a £100,000 regeneration scheme gets under way next week.

Work to improve the appearance of Cockfield, in Teesdale, started early last year and is due to be completed after the Easter break.

Tarmac and concrete paving is to be removed from the village centre and replaced with traditional stone paving and granite set parking bays.

The £47,000 scheme, which Durham County Council's construction arm, Service Direct, expects to finish in four weeks, will also include new bollards and kerbs.

Part of a Heritage Eco-nomic Regeneration Scheme, the work has been funded by English Heritage, the County Council, the Local Transport Plan and Teesdale District Council.

Teesdale Disability Access Group has also contributed towards providing a ramp near the village store.

Concrete in the Silver Jubilee commemorative area in the village green is to be replaced by high quality stone.

Cockfield Community Christmas Decorations Lighting Fund helped cover the £3,000 cost of the work as part of Golden Jubilee celebrations. The project is also supported by the district council and Cockfield Community Small Projects fund.

Durham County Councillor for Evenwood, John Priestley, said the first stage of the village's facelift, £52,000 of improvements to paving, grass verges and street furniture on Front Street by the County Council and English Heritage, went extremely well.

Coun Priestley, who also represents Cockfield on Teesdale District Council, said: "The work already completed is wonderful and very much appreciated by the people of Cockfield. I'm sure the next stage will be equally as well received. It will provide easier access around the village, particularly for people with pushchairs, the elderly and disabled."

District councillor Arnold Makepeace said: "Over the last few years people who live around Cockfield have become interested in, and proud of the village.

"For the first time we had festive lights last year.

"And a lot of work is being done by young volunteers on the recreation ground and efforts are being made to remember the history of Cockfield Fell.