THE multi-million pound project which is breathing life into a Durham estate has a new chairman.

Tony Armstrong has taken over as head of the Sherburn Road Regeneration Initiative from Linda Hall, who took early retirement from Durham City Council in the summer.

Mr Armstrong, 53, who is head of the council's regeneration projects, joined the council's planning department 26 years ago.

He became principal officer in charge of planning policy and development control, before taking charge of the council's Millennium City development.

The £13.2m Sherburn Road programme was launched to cut crime and unemployment, and carry out improvements to the housing and environment on the once-notorious estate.