Towns and villages news

Retail workers and business owners can take advantage of new training courses and workshops on offer.

More than £117m worth of schemes that would enhance transport, regeneration, town centres and culture are being developed across County Durham.

Visitors to a County Durham shopping precinct can now take advantage of a new, free town centre cark park.

A County Durham town is hoping to receive a significant economic boost and become a world-class visitor destination with the submission of a bid for almost £50 million in regeneration funding.

Proposals for the first part of a £70 million five-year plan to build 500 new homes for rent in County Durham are set to go before councillors this month.

Work to demolish an outdated former shopping centre so that the area can be redeveloped begins this week.

Work to create a modern and vibrant new bus station for Durham City is set to press ahead after a multi-million pound funding package was approved.

Electric vehicle charging points will become more widespread across County Durham in a move to reduce carbon emissions and make it easier for residents to own electric cars.

Councillors will this month be updated on plans to bid for Government funding which could help provide tens of millions of pounds of improvements to a North East town and the surrounding area.