THE RELOCATION of a war memorial will mark the completion of major regeneration work in Shildon.

It is hoped that the memorial, which is currently situated in the churchyard of All Saints Church, will be erected on its new spot in Redworth Road in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Its relocation, along with the completion of paving works, landscaping and a new bus shelter adjoining the Railway Institute in the town, will cost Sedgefield Borough Council around £52,000.

David Snell, chairman of New Shildon Residents Association, said the work is welcomed by residents who specifically requested that the war memorial be moved to a more central spot.

He said: "Residents thought it would be nice to move the memorial down into the built-up area which is more central. At the moment it is a little bit out of the way and people have quite a walk to get to it.

"It is a really nice position opposite the Railway Institute and it will set off that little bit of grassed area quite nicely.''

New Shildon area is to become the home of a £7.7million railway museum nd the railway theme has been a focal point for much of the work.

A signal box has been erected on the roundabout that joins Byerley Road and Redworth Road, and 120-year-old giant cast iron gates from Euston Station have been restored to take pride of place in Redworth Road.

Other work in the pipeline includes the demolition of the natter hut, a small building on the corner of the industrial estate which was once a doctor's surgery.

The building will make way for road improvements which will see the widening of the junction to make access onto the industrial estate safer and easier.

The revamp has also encouraged residents to push forward plans for a new community centre which they are still in the process of designing