URGENT action is being demanded to revive Willington's economy after a report showed that traders were pessimistic about the future.

A consultancy project carried out in the former mining town by Newcastle University found business confidence was at a low ebb.

The number of empty properties in the town is twice the national average.

The most recent business to close was clothing factory Varahwear, which dealt the town's economy a severe blow.

The university sent questionnaires to 60 retailers and 20 per cent responded.

Two-thirds said they were pessimistic about the long-term future of Willington, and 77 per cent said confidence in their business had declined over the last five years.

The closure of Barclays Bank was also found to have had a knock-on effect on retailers, because people used the surrounding shops when making a trip to the bank.

Wear Valley district councillor Brian Myers said: "Willington has become more and more of a commuter town, where people are buying new properties and travelling to Durham or Newcastle to work.

"There is not a great deal of input into the local community, as people seem to be doing their shopping in these towns and our traders are feeling the pinch. I think unless we can bring in some new businesses, such as a supermarket, or other new development, then the place will die."

One Willington trader, Spar Foodmarket manager Keith Richardson, said people were doing their grocery shopping outside Willington.

He said: "As far as convenience stores are concerned it has been better, but we still making a living."

Sub-postmistress Wendy Reid, from Low Willington Post Office, agreed that Willington was suffering a slump in trade.

"I don't think there is enough variety here. You can't get shoes and there is only one clothing shop," she said.

Assistant manager of the Kensington Hall Hotel, Catherine Mason said many town shops were suffering with competition from supermarkets.

The survey, commissioned by Wear Valley District Council found 43 per cent of traders in Crook were optimistic about the future.

The report made several recommendations, including making both town centres more attractive. The results of the survey will be used in the council's District Local Plan Review.