RESIDENTS of a village have welcomed work by a water company to reinstate its village green, two years after it was dug up for sewerage works.

The green in Middleton One Row, near Middleton St George, was damaged during essential works by Northumbria Water several years ago but, despite many complaints from residents and the parish council, remedial work to repair the land was never carried out.

But this week contractors from the firm arrived in Middleton One Row to replace several metres of top soil and turf at the picturesque spot by the River Tees.

Ward councillor Doris Jones said: “We were not happy with the way they reinstated the green after the work they carried out on the sewer pipes two years ago. I will not tell you just how many meetings and discussions we have had with Northumbria Water but this week, at last, they have dug it up again, put new top soil down and returfed it.

“They will come back to tidy up the rough edges in the next few days.”

The land is owned by Middleton St George Parish Council, but Coun Jones, who is also chairman of the parish council, said she would not take back responsibility for the land from Northumbria Water until next year, to ensure the turf and other completed work survives over winter.