A PARTNERSHIP that aims to promote County Durham's network of public paths is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

More than 45 parish and town councils and community groups have received funding from Durham County Council's Parish Paths Partnership (P3) since 1992.

P3 officer Victoria Lloyd said the scheme was an essential part of the work undertaken by the Access and Rights of Way section.

She said applications could be made to P3 for one-off projects, or annual maintenance work, such as vegetation clearance.

Physical works on public rights of way could receive 100 per cent grants, she said.

"From small beginnings ten years ago, P3 has blossomed and in the last five years alone, work has included over 300 new stiles and over 90 new bridle and kissing gates," she said.

Between April and September this year, P3 work included repairing 13 stiles, building 26 new stiles, resurfacing 290 metres of path, and clearing more than 24,700 metres of vegetation.

Further information about the scheme is available from Ms Lloyd, who can be contacted on 0191-383 3355.