Left, Cllr Danny Wood with Lewis Stokes of The Banks Group VISITORS to a revitalised Chester-le-Street community park now have somewhere to sit and enjoy the sunshine thanks to a four-figure grant from a regional employer. Thornton Pocket Park in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, was threatened with closure two years ago after becoming run down and poorly used. But thanks to a campaign by residents and funding secured through Pelton Parish Council, the park was saved and has since been greatly improved. As part of the next stage of its redevelopment, a £5,000 grant was obtained from property and energy firm The Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund to help bring new seating into the park.