NEW Government cash will put a 'people's plan' for reviving Bishop Auckland's declining fortunes into operation.

The struggling market town and the nearby communities of Coundon, St Helen Auckland and the Dene Valley are in line for a share of a £20m Government payout coming to County Durham through the sixth round of Single Regeneration Budget grants.

Aimed at 'Promoting Strong, Healthy and Safe Communities,' the county's goal was to make businesses more competitive, encourage people to train for work, create more sustainable environments and improve the health and general quality of life for residents of disadvantaged communities.

Almost half of the Wear Valley District's £2.4m allocation will be spent in Bishop Auckland on schemes put forward at a series of public meetings earlier this year attended by residents, traders and community groups.

Following the meetings, council planners drew up a six-year strategy aimed at bringing 250 more residents into the town centre and create 500 jobs in retail, tourism and industry. New measures include an environmental refurbishment of the Newgate Street and Fore Bondgate area, better parking for shoppers and improvements to the park at Auckland Castle.

Neighbourhood packages would help develop local enterprises, particularly community businesses, and there would be extra opportunities for education and training for work. Programmes would also tackle drug addiction, which is identified as an acute problem in the targeted neighbourhoods, and promote healthy eating and other preventative health schemes.

Opportunities for young people are an important theme linking different aspects of the strategy. These could involve links with an existing Sports Action programme.

Council leader Olive Brown welcomed the new cash, saying: "This is brilliant news. We have been determined to do something for Bishop Auckland because we know it is what the people and the traders are demanding.