AN APPEAL for support has been made for a proposal to turn a Darlington school into a community centre for all ages.

The North Road Community Partnership is seeking support from the borough council's youth service and children's service for a proposal to turn Rise Carr School into a local community centre.

Earlier this year, against parents wishes, the council decided to close the school at the end of the academic year because of falling pupil numbers and increased maintenance costs.

Fred Lawton, Liberal Democrat ward councillor, a partnership committee member, said it was looking for a community centre to serve all age groups, from the young to the elderly.

He said the partnership was made up of community services and local groups but anybody living in the area could join.

"It is an official organisation which can apply for certain grants to improve the area," said Coun Lawton.

"Rise Carr School is closing but it is a listed building so it cannot be demolished. The partnership committee believes it would be ideal to have a community centre there."

Coun Lawton said the recent Ofsted report, which criticised the council's youth service, had led to him raising the proposal at last week's full council meeting.

"About 40 girls and boys turned up at the last partnership meeting and suggested various ideas including sports facilities and somewhere they could meet," he said.

"Last week, I asked Coun McEwan, cabinet member for children's services, to back the idea. He was non-committal.

"The estates department will now decide what happens to the school building. It will cost money to board it up and a lot of people are worried it will be vandalised.

"It will cost money to convert it and a lot of planning, we also have to consider the running costs but we would like to see more support and commitment to the idea."

Trevor Adams, who's son, Stuart, was killed on the railway line at the Five Arches Bridge in Darlington on Good Friday, agreed with the proposal.

Mr Adams along with a number of parents, who have been campaigning for more youth facilities in the town, has written to the council.

"The school could be a multi-functional building for children, young people and adults," he said.

* Church unveils community centre plan: page 3