A TIDY village trophy has finally been erected, three months after it was awarded, to the delight of people in Aycliffe Village.

The village won The Northern Echo Trophy for small general villages in last year's County Durham Tidy Village Competition.

A site on the A167, near the entrance to the village, was identified as an ideal location for the trophy. But confusion over who was responsible for claims which might arise from accidents while the sign was being erected, and afterwards, led to a delay.

Councillor Bill Blenkinsopp, who criticised Great Aycliffe Town Council for taking so long to erect the sign, said he was delighted the trophy was finally in place.

He said: "I think it's excellent for the people of Aycliffe, because it is them who have won it. It is not one individual or one group of people, it is down to the whole village. Everybody has been involved in it."

Coun Blenkinsopp, who is also a member of the Aycliffe Action Group, said he was so pleased he had to keep going to have a look at the trophy to make sure it was really there.