VILLAGERS rolled out a red banner signed by 400 residents as a millennium fundraiser.

The two oldest residents of Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, were the first to sign the embroidered banner, which was presented to the village's community association this week.

Dolly Scott, 97, and John Gallon, 90, had their dates of birth inscribed at the top of the scroll, with the youngest villager, Chloe Campbell, who was born in April.

People paid £1 to have their signatures sewn on by a team of volunteers who met in the community centre every Wednesday.

Teenager Mark Lally, of Hargill Road, came up with a winning idea for a gold logo which features the letters H and W and the year 2000.

The project raised £400, which will be added to a £200 grant from Wear Valley District Council to install benches in the village.

Howden-le-Wear Community Partnership came up with the idea for the banner. Chairman Betty Wood said: "We have toasted the banner and presented it to the community association as a permanent memorial.

"It has been a wonderful way to get people together to mark the year."