Peterlee town centre is being sent into cyberspace, thanks to the efforts of a freelance web designer.

Derick Scott has set up a site dedicated to the town that he hopes will give its shops and businesses a big boost in trade.

As well as listing the traders in the town centre, he is featuring plans of how the area will look following the multi-million pound facelift by owners Modus Properties.

The site also has information on facilities such as the leisure centre, fire station and police station, and will carry pages on the new town's history.

The site will not be completed until its official launch next Monday, but already it has had almost 400 hits.

Mr Scott, of Welland Close, Peterlee, started the site as a leisure project after discovering that, unlike many other towns, there was no website for Peterlee.

He said yesterday: "There was nothing about apart from the odd mention of a factory or a shop.

"When it is finished it will feature everything about the town centre - the leisure centre, pub, hotel, JobCentre and all the shops.

"There will be links into the sites of national companies that have shops here. It means disabled people will be able to order shopping from the stores that do home deliveries.

"I've got aerial shots of the town and pictures showing the redevelopment.

"People have said it is an excellent idea and they didn't know why it hadn't been done before. The site has had 390 visits in just a few days.

"It will definitely put Peterlee on the map and I hope it gives local businesses a big boost."

Mr Scott is hoping to get a sponsor for the site, the address of which is www.peterleetowncentre.co.uk