Washington New Town was supposed to be "an example to Britain and the rest of the world", according to the developers given the job of building in 15 years what would normally take a century.

As the last of the North-East's "New Towns" Washington was designed from the outset to be a living laboratory where new ideas could be trailed years ahead of their introduction in the rest of Britain.

Washington was the first town in Britain to have a primitive cable TV operation - pictures were piped into homes by the GPO.

Every home had double glazing and central heating.

The shopping centres were pedestrian only and the roads network used motorway-design to accommodate projected increases in car ownership.

By the end of the century Washington was even supposed to have its own integrated mono-rail and hovercraft commuter services.

These grand designs may have been perfect for the residents of Washington New Town but the equally radical road sign system did nothing to encourage casual visitors.

It was decided that signs bearing district numbers, rather than traditional names, should point motorists to their destination.

But over the years, the system, in which adjacent districts do not necessarily have consecutive numbers, has caused endless confusion.

Now, after people overwhelmingly voted the signs out in a consultation exercise, the first half of a programme to replace them with those bearing village names begins today.

Andy Morris, head of transport and engineering with Sunderland City Council, said: "Once it became clear that people would prefer road signs to contain names rather than numbers, we decided to act, and thanks to some Government funding, we were able to commission a team of private consultants to see if it was feasible.

"We liked their recommendations and commissioned new signs, which will be put up in phases to ensure minimal disruption."

The first half of the programme will cost £500,000 and is expected to take nine months, with another £500,000 being sought to complete the work.

Charles Thompson, the council's transport planning manager, said: "The first of the six prioritised phases of work to change the road signs will begin along the A195.

"With 19 villages in Washington, sign posting them all by name would not prove feasible, but a suitable system has been devised."

Washington East councillor Derek Sleightholme said the changes would be a blessing to visitors and locals alike.

"The original idea for changing the road sign system came from Washington Pride, a body that takes in the views of the voluntary sector in the town," he said.

"Most people in Washington couldn't even tell you what district number they live in.

"The districts have been there since the new town's inception in the 60s and I know they weren't well received, but it's taken all this time to get rid of them.

"We are hoping it will encourage more people to visit Washington."

Unfortunately, none of them will be travelling by hovercraft.