RESIDENTS in Ferryhill have been told they have a great opportunity to improve their town.

The long-awaited first draft of the Ferryhill Community Appraisal was unveiled at a packed meeting in the library this week.

Consultants have identified more than 100 ideas for action and singled out ten key projects as priorities to enhance the town.

The key projects include:

l Establishing a town centre youth facility;

l Producing an economic development strategy

l Developing a crime prevention initiative

l And improving access and facilities for people with mobility problems.

Now, it is up to the fledgling Ferryhill Community Partnership to take the ideas forward.

Consultant Paul Moppit said: "That partnership is the important element. They are the group of people who are going to need to make sure that the momentum is kept up and that these projects start to take off and get delivered.

"Expectations have been raised and we are trying to ensure that we put as many things in place at this stage to make sure that happens."

Mr Moppit said the town already had a good platform for success. Many of the projects identified, such as the development of the former Ferryhill Athletic football ground, are already under way.

He said meetings had been well attended, the partnership had some enthusiastic members and organisations - such as the Community and Voluntary Organisation Sedgefield (CAVOS) and Bishop Auckland College - and Durham County Council had offered its support.

Peter Atkinson, of the town's brass band, is one of the residents whose imagination has been fired by the appraisal.

He said: "This is an excellent opportunity for ordinary people like myself to get involved with issues that affect the local community.

"I've enjoyed being part of this so much. We all know that Ferryhill has things wrong with it, but at least by being involved we can do something about it to improve the environment we live in.

"The consultants have done the backbone of the work and have set out a framework, and now it's up to us."

Copies of the draft appraisal can be inspected at the library and town hall. They can also be bought, for £2, and are available on floppy disc.

Comments can be made to Paul Moppit on (01642) 674372, or in writing to 192 Bishopton Road, Stockton-on-Tees