TWO villages near Bishop Auckland are making a bid for independence with the formation of a new parish council.

The people of Eldon and Old Eldon are striving for the right to have a bigger say in issues which affect their community.

Residents who attended a public meeting in June voted to try to secure a separate parish council for the villages, which come under the Sunnydale ward of Sedgefield Borough Council.

The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's executive committee today.

A steering committee of 11 people has been appointed to take the proposal forward and a formal petition from 268 people, 80 per cent of villagers, has been sent in support.

Sedgefield Borough Councillor, Lorraine Smith, chairwoman of the steering committee, said: "People feel they would like more control to make Eldon and Old Eldon a better place to live.

"They feel as if there's no money being spent in the villages and that the grass gets cut twice a year and that's about it. If they have their own parish council they can decide what they want to do with the money.

"People are really getting behind the idea and are pulling together as one."

Villagers have been encouraged by the success of nearby Dene Valley Parish Council, which set up in May after a lengthy campaign.

The committee has prepared a written submission, asking Sedgefield Borough Council to undertake a review of the parish arrangements in the Shildon Town Council area.

The borough council will then consult Shildon Town Council and Durham County Council before making its recommendations.

The bid will have to be officially approved by John Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment.

If the borough council decides not to support the request, campaigners will still be able to push the Secretary of State into advising the Local Government Commission to carry out its own review.

The executive committee meeting will take place today, at 10am, in the council offices at Spennymoor