A VILLAGE could be in line for a jobs boost.

Councillors have teamed up with employers to draw up plans to extend Esh Winning Industrial Estate.

There would also be a new access road, which would remove the need for most lorries to go through the village.

Mark Lloyd, Durham County Council's director of economic development and planning, said: "This scheme is vital to the protection and creation of employment in one of the county's rural areas, and will be delivered through an exciting public-private partnership.

"The scheme would also enhance conditions for local residents, by removing most of the associated lorry traffic from the village."

The scheme's partners are Durham county, Derwentside district and City of Durham councils, with the Esh Partnership and Young's Haulage.

The county council has submitted a planning application for the £1.3m proposal.

Together with a smaller area given planning approval last year, it would extend the estate by 29 acres.

Most of the money would be spent on roads. Funding is being sought from both the public and private sector.

A copy of the application is available for inspection at Esh Winning library and council offices.

A public exhibition, giving details of the scheme, will be in the library between April 19 and 23, during normal library opening hours.