Public asked to help improve county's markets

People are being asked what they like and dislike about their local markets

Shoppers are being asked for ideas to help their local markets "thrive".

Durham County Council is carrying out a review of its markets and has asked people to fill out a survey explaining what would encourage them to visit.

The local authority oversees nine sites in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street, Consett, Crook, Durham, Seaham, Spennymoor and Stanley.

"Successful markets" were important to support town centres while giving people "attractive reasons to visit" different areas, the council said.

People have also been asked what they want to see at the events in the future, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council said it would use the feedback to create a report about the state of its markets.

"This will include recommendations on what we might be able to do in the future to continue to develop vibrant and thriving markets across County Durham," it said.

Following the report, a second consultation is expected to be carried out with resident in the autumn.

The current consultation closes on Monday at 17:00 BST.