WORK on the first phase of a £2m scheme to breathe new life into the centre of Chester-le-Street gets under way on Monday.

During the next ten weeks, paving, street furniture, illuminated bus shelters and street lighting will be installed in Front Street, the town's main shopping street.

New bus stops and laybys will be created near Co-operative Street and Cone Terrace, pavements will be widened on the eastern side of Front Street, and new trees will be planted.

The work is being carried out by Durham County Council and Chester-le-Street District Council as part of a five-year scheme to improve the town centre.

The scheme follows the introduction of the ban on most vehicles using Front Street in 1998.

The system took more than 10,000 vehicles a day off the road to make the town centre safer and more attractive to shoppers.

Chris Tunstall, the county council's director of environment and technical services, said: "A more attractive town centre will help attract new investment and that can only be good for traders, residents and visitors.''