A DEVELOPMENT company was shocked to uncover a drugs den in a newly-acquired property.

But only weeks after the discovery, Westnew Management yesterday unveiled the transformed property it believes will mark another step on the way to the renaissance of Easington Colliery.

The company, which has ploughed more than £6m into the village, has already upgraded more than 100 former colliery houses in the coastal community.

And though used to being confronted with run-down premises, employees were shocked to find hypodermic needles and foil hidden in its latest property in Avon Street.

Westnew has spent £30,000 refurbishing the three-bedroomed house and it is now ready for its new tenants.

The old colliery rows in Easington became famous when they were featured in the film Billy Elliott, and Westnew Management's director, Tony Mann, believes demolition is not the answer.

There was, he said, nothing wrong with the existing houses - all they needed was bringing up to modern standards.

"We have bought and refurbished more than 100 and, once modernised, they make very nice homes indeed," he said. Once refitted, he said the homes were being snapped up.

"Our difficulty now is acquiring further premises. We currently already own the former primary school and RAFA club, which we are looking to redevelop in the village, but acquiring further terraced properties is proving difficult."