MAJOR improvements to protect Hurworth village green were given the green light this week.

The £3,500 scheme, funded by Hurworth Parish Council, will be phased in over two years and the cost split between two 12-month financial budgets.

Plans, drawn up by Darlington borough development and environment department, will see the installation of 11 stretches of 1m raised kerbing around vulnerable corners of the green to prevent cars from driving on to it.

At Tuesday's parish meeting, the ambitious scheme was given a big thumbs up by all the parish councillors. Phasing the work in over two years was also agreed.

Work on the first phase is likely to begin in March 2002 and be completed the following year.

Parish clerk Mr Ian Murphy, said: "Darlington council has said it is prepared to phase the project over two financial years to help ease the burden on the budget. A payment of £1,750 will leave the budget with more than £3,000 at the end of this financial year. The next payment can then be taken into account when preparing next year's budget."

Earlier in the year, parish councillors made a visit to the green to assess the damage made by parked cars and erosion visible at the edges of the land.

A few months ago, more damage was caused to the green when two cars churned up the ground carrying out handbrake turns.

Coun Peter Foster said: "These kerbs will stop vehicles from coming on to the green and provide protection as well as anything else."

Hurworth beat officer PC Karl Lowe, welcomed the scheme. He told the D&S Times: "I think it is a great idea. The green is very easily accessible particularly for boy racers which the village has been prone to.

"Hopefully this new kerbing will be a deterrent. I'm all for it."

Chairman of the parish council, Coun John Lawrie, said: "The kerbing will be a highly visible improvement to the green."

l Parish council round-up: page 8.