A £250,000 green scheme launched in Willington yesterday is one of a series of projects brightening up life for Wear Valley communities.

Up to £400,000 could be spent on a range of schemes which have just been given initial approval by the district council's regeneration committee.

Groundwork West Durham put forward 13 proposals, including the Willington green, which have been developed from ideas put forward by community groups.

Some will be funded by the Single Regeneration Budget with contributions from other sources.

People in Willington said they wanted their own park and children from the primary school created a 3D model to help formulate ideas, such as path improvements, seating, a wildflower nature space, a toddler play area, a ball court and artwork.

In another part of the town centre, Hunwick artist Graeme Hopper is making a metal sculpture for a seating area near the traffic lights.

Elsewhere around the district, in Neighbourhood Renewal Wards, £35,000 will be spent on projects to increase neighbourhood pride.

Groundwork is working with the Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum to pinpoint key areas of interest and mark them with five interpretation panels costing £10,000.

A £30,000 new path would link Bishop Auckland with the River Wear and the surrounding countryside.

An entrance feature in Castle Chare would improve pedestrian access from Kingsway to Bishop Auckland Market Place. This project would cost £30,000.

Eldon Lane would be included in a Snapshot of Britain scheme through Working with Action for Young Adults, which would give two young people computer, literacy and photography training to produce a web site and book.

An £18,000 second phase of environmental improvements in Newfield would create an interpretation panel, entrance feature, planting and picnic benches.

Another £6,000 would be spent improving the historic route from the Batts, Bishop Auckland, to the Market Place.

Committee chairman Eddie Tomlinson said: "All these projects are designed to give the people of Wear Valley a better quality of life and restore their civic pride."