THREE years after it was branded one of the worst town centres in Britain, Bishop Auckland's shopping area has been given a new look with a £750,000 facelift.

Seating, bollards and wider paving have all made the Newgate Street pedestrian-friendly, while new, safer, white lighting, is a first in County Durham.

The town's MP, Derek Foster, said the new look was good for the town when he performed the opening ceremony on Friday.

Shoppers, too, have welcomed the changes, but traders say customers are still staying away because they cannot find places to park.

Mr Foster said more improvements were in the pipeline.

"Our objective is to get people back in to Bishop Auckland," he said.

Some market day shoppers were asked by The Northern Echo what they thought of the improvements:

Carol Coglan, 56, of South Church, who was in the town with her 13-week-old grandson, Kyle Blood, said: "It is ideal. The whole street looks good, especially the new seating. It is really nice for older people to take a break when they are out shopping, or families, to sit and feed babies or relax."

Jack Wilson, 73, a retired council worker, regularly travels from Sunderland to do his shopping in Bishop Auckland.

He said: "I think the planners and workers have made an excellent job.

"As I shop here every once in a while, I have seen it gradually coming together, and after all of the disruption it has really paid off."

Lyndsay Cummings, 21, a shop assistant from Ferryhill, said: "It looks a lot nicer than it used to.

"Because the town looks tidier, and it is obvious that people have made an effort to improve the area, people are more likely to come back."

Allan Cox, 53, a market trader from Ferryhill said: "I think it was a waste of money.

"Car parking should have been the priority, rather than making the place look pretty.

"It is all very well a town looking pleasant, but it needs to be practical and suit visitors. I think the money could have been better spent on town centre parking."

Andrew Innwood, 17, a public services student, from Escomb, said: "I don't think it will take long before the seats are vandalised.

"It has improved the area because it feels much smarter, but it I don't think it will last."

His girlfriend, Louise Harrison, 17, also from Escomb, is a leisure and tourism student.

She said: "It looks good, but it won't stay that way. It will be a real shame if vandals do mess up the street after the improvements."