AN environmental group has rethought its plans for improving the river Gaunless after the waterway put a dampener on the proceedings.

Groundwork drew up plans to create a wildlife habitat along the banks of the River Gaunless, in 1999.

Now most the funding for the project will be diverted to a scheme in Bishop Auckland, after the Gaunless broke its bank twice last year, and the Environment Agency was forced to redevelop the bank with flood defences.

The money will be transferred to the Woodhouse Close Green project.

Groundwork's John Nuttall said: "At Woodhouse Close we will be monitoring planting already on the green and putting footpaths in.

"Hopefully we can match the funding we have with some more, so we can make the green a better place.