PLANS to build a car park in a village have moved a step closer after parish councillors voted to seek quotations for the work.

Heighington, in County Durham, has been besieged with traffic problems and congestion around the primary school and village sports field for many years.

Some months ago, the parish council decided to build a car park in the sports field near the school, so parents could park and pick their children up in safety.

The council applied for a grant from the Football Foundation, but are yet to hear whether this has been successful.

Meanwhile, the sports field is in danger of being churned up by cars that park on the grass.

But at Thursday night's meeting of Heighington Parish Council, Councillor Gerald Lee said road improvement works outside the school were scheduled to begin on October 24 - and the car park ought to be completed about the same time, so the whole project could be tied in together.

The council also heard feedback from a meeting of 14 children, who said they would like to use the car park for football and basketball when it was empty and would like some pitch markings.

The youngsters had also requested a shelter on the sports field, some basketball hoops, a skatepark area and nets that could be used for cricket and golf.

Councillors had said they would look into the possibilities of providing this equipment, but said they had limited funds.

Councillor Lee said he had written to Darlington and Newcastle education authorities to see if there was any spare equipment.

Gates to the car park would be closed at certain times so it could not be misused.

The councillors voted to put the work out for tender.