THE future of a historic community building - known as the home of colliery art - will be safeguarded by a £250,000 refurbishment.

The Spennymoor Settlement Association has secured funds to preserve original features of the town's grade II-listed Everyman Theatre.

The scheme will see facilities modernised to host extra activities, and there are plans for arts and education projects and a heritage book.

The work will be the first major refit of the centre since it was built in 1939 to host theatre, writing and arts groups established by the Settlement group.

The movement was set up by The Pilgrim's Trust in 1931 to support unemployed miners and develop local creative talent.

It was so successful - with writer Sid Chaplin and painters Norman Cornish and Tom McGuinness among its members - that it became known as the Pitman's Academy.

Yesterday, Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet approved a £142,000 grant towards the scheme from its Local Improvement Programme.

The Heritage Lottery Fund, Pilgrim Trust, County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT), The Arts Council and Sir James Knott Trust have pledged funds. The Settlement has raised £10,000 to complete the funding jigsaw.

When members first considered improving the centre, they aimed to repair rundown parts of the building and meet national requirements for disabled access.

But a technical study by the council highlighted the need for greater work, so the plans were extended.

The scheme now includes new toilets, a kitchen, dressing and meeting rooms, new theatre seating and lighting and a community garden.

Original floorboards and brickwork will be treated, steel window frames replaced, central heating, safety and security measures installed.

Chairman David Acock said: "There have been months of sleepless nights over the plans, which kept growing and are now really exciting. We're over the moon to have the money in place for this work, which will make a world of difference to us."

Secretary Marion Jackson said: "The Settlement has meant so much, and still does for so many people.

"The heritage of the place can be preserved, but we can also build on it. We've proved there is still a lot of affection and a need for the facility in the town, so we can look to involve more people once the work is complete, hopefully by next April.