AN anonymous benefactor has come forward to help a parish council buy its village green after a 50-year saga.

Neasham Parish Council believed the strip of land on the river bank had been a gift from the previous owner of Abbey House.

But when Peter Phillips bought the property, he discovered the deeds had not been changed, and said he was willing to give the land to the parish council if it paid all the legal costs.

At a meeting this week, council chairman Councillor John Weighell revealed that an unnamed donor had offered to pay the £1,124 cost of the land transfer.

Coun Weighell said: "It was the best news I have ever had to give them. We were staggered. It said it was a gesture he could well afford to make, but wanted his identity kept a complete secret."

He said: "No-one has ever done anything like this for us before. Now we can pay up and really bring this 50-year saga to an end."

The parish council announced last month that it was planning to apply to Darlington Borough Council for an interest-free loan to pay the legal bill.

If it failed in its application the cost would have been added to next year's precept.