RESIDENTS' efforts to tidy their village green after years of neglect have been praised by their MP.

Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods and Durham County Councillor Ray Pye unveiled a plaque marking the completion of the two-year project to revamp Shadforth village green.

The £85,000 scheme was overseen by a group set up by the community association.

Mrs Blackman-Woods said she was impressed with the way the community had been involved and its efforts to secure funding.

She said: "It has really tidied up the village green and made it look cared for. That lifts the spirits of everybody. They have put paving stones on the edge of the green, which will stop the grass being eroded by car tyres that go over the verge.''

She said the parish council and community association had involved the village and been persistent in getting the money.

Funding for the project has come from organisations including Durham County Council and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The MP said: "We have a model here that other places could follow. It is really good to see the village working so effectively."