Your vote could help us to win £50,000, say villagers

The village is in the running for a £50,000 grant for environmental improvements and to tackle anti-social behaviour.

To secure the cash from the Big Lottery People's Millions, the project has to win a telephone poll next week.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, ITV Tyne Tees will feature six regional finalists, two each night, between 6pm and 6.30pm.

Details of Sedgefield's project will be broadcast on Wednesday when it competes with Wansbeck District Council, in Northumberland, which hopes to create a play park in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

After the programme, a voting line will be open to the public to decide which scheme is awarded the cash.

Villagers are being urged to watch the programme and vote for Sedgefield when the poll lines are opened.

Sedgefield Community Association, which is bidding for the grant, wants to spend the money improving the 18th Century parkland that encircles the village's Ceddesfeld Hall community centre.

Overgrown areas that have become anti-social behaviour hotspots will be cleared, access to the grounds will be improved, lights and seating installed and security cameras would be upgraded.

Work will also be carried out on a pond to improve it as a wildlife habitat and create a dipping area and wildlife trails for schoolchildren and families to use.

Community association treasurer Dudley Waters said: "We are the only voluntary organisation in the running, and a smaller area, so we need people to vote for us.

"It could make a huge difference to the whole area, encouraging people to use the park and making it safer for people."

Sedgefield town mayor, Councillor Maxine Robinson, said: "I think it would enhance community spirit.

"All the local groups will be invited to work together, and the physical improvement will help more people enjoy being in the grounds of the hall and feel proud of it.

"The creation of a dipping area by the pond will also enhance children's environmental studies."