THE running of a community house in Middlesbrough has been handed over to 180 of its residents.

The £113,000 facility was built for community meetings, events and activities, after the Tees Valley Housing Group (TVHG) demolished the gatehouse to the former convent, in Marton Road, and replaced it with The Lodge.

During a two-year planning period, the group met residents, and a community consultation process led to the decision to regenerate the site.

Members have been selected and a constitution has been written for a residents' management committee, which will run The Lodge.

Residents of TVHG's Old Convent Gardens development, and those living at Farndale Court and Alberta House complexes will benefit from the facility.

Half of the cost was raised through the European Regional Development Fund, which contributed £10,000 towards the running costs of The Lodge for the first 18 months. The cash covers almost 50 per cent of the expected costs for that period.

Deborah Stephenson, head of community investment at TVHG, said: "After two years of consultation and six months of work on site, we now have a wonderful new community facility."