Regeneration cash aims to revive High Street

Residents praised the Spennymoor's independent shops, but called for further measures to improve the retail offer

Reviving the High Street and tackling anti-social behaviour have been put forward as the priorities for a town's £20m regeneration effort.

Spennymoor in County Durham is to receive the funding from the government over 10 years.

People in the area were invited to give their thoughts on how the money should be spent, with other suggestions including the staging of markets and additional events.

The consultation came after Durham County Council began work demolishing five empty buildings at Cheapside to create a walled garden.

Areas including Festival Walk and the marketplace are also due to be redeveloped.

Residents praised free parking and the number of independent shops compared to other nearby areas, adding recent regeneration work had boosted the image of the town centre.

However, the number of vacant shop units in High Street, Whitworth and Cheapside was highlighted as an issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Festival Walk is among areas in the town due to be redeveloped

Anti-social behaviour was put forward as one of Spennymoor's most significant challenges, particularly in the town centre.

Several respondents called for a stronger police presence as well as more CCTV and engagement with youth clubs to help tackle the issue.

Community engagement events held in April and May were hosted by Urban Foresight on behalf of the county council.

In a statement summarising the findings, the authority said: "The £20m brings an exciting opportunity to start a new chapter.

"Spennymoor is a town with many positives and potential strengths and so that level of money has the potential to do significant things."

It added a "clear vision" and "strong 10-year plan" would be the area's "best defence against the ongoing economic and social uncertainty facing towns and cities across the UK".