A SCHEME that has transformed a run-down east Durham shopping centre is in line for a national award.

The Wood Terrace enhancement scheme, at Murton, has been shortlisted by the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) for one of its town centre environment awards.

The £650,000 scheme saw overhead cables put underground, new paving laid and roads provided with new street lighting, street furniture and landscaping.

Traffic calming and traffic management measures were coupled with pedestrian areas to make the streets safer and more comfortable for people on foot.

The work was funded by Durham County Council, Easington District Council and Murton Parish Council, with additional contributions from the European Commission, the Single Regeneration Budget and the former Rural Development Commission.

The scheme has already been commended in the highways category of the Local Government News Street Design Awards.

Murton is among ten towns and cities that have been shortlisted.

The awards will be announced and presented during the BCSC conference in Glasgow on Thursday, November 2.