A DARLINGTON community got together to revamp a run-down street.

The junction at Widdowfield Street and Station Road has been transformed with new seats, litter bins and trees by the Northgate Community Partnership, a regeneration group.

"We had a wide strip of pavement, which was poorly surfaced and unused and made the area look derelict," said partnership member Angela Jones, who came up with a plan to revive the site in 2004.

"We wanted to improve the look of the area and provide seating for people who don't have cars and use the route when they're on their way to Morrisons supermarket."

The mayor will officially open the area on May 23.

Former partnership member Tony Creegan, who was involved in planning, said: "The end result is a vast improvement."

The partnership was formed in November 2003 to improve Northgate.

"This project has been a work in progress for three years and it's wonderful to see that it's actually happened," said Yvonne Richardson, who was the chairwoman in 2004 and is still a member.

"We wanted to do something to show residents what could be achieved and improve confidence in Northgate.

"In the end, the council has done all the work, and made a lovely job of it.