THE creation of a regional gymnastics centre at a Sedgefield Borough Council sports complex is over budget and behind schedule before the first brick has been laid.

The gym, at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, will cost thousands of pounds more and take months longer than planned, because of the discovery that an electrical cable runs through the site.

Utility company NEDL needs ten to 12 weeks to divert the cable away from the centre, leading to increased costs of almost £100,000.

Sedgefield Borough Council, which owns the leisure centre, has been able to draw on a pot of cash, reserved for unplanned expenses, to cover the bill.

At a cabinet meeting this month, councillors approved the use of £99,750 from contingencies, set aside for regeneration purposes in the 2004/2005 budget.

Earlier this year, Sport England awarded Sedgefield Borough Council £1,325,000 towards the gym, which is expected to cost about £2m.

The grant came with a condition that work had to start by October. But because of the setback, that condition has been removed and the funds remain secure. A council spokesperson said: "The money was available from our contingencies resources and we will try to make up the time caused by the delay of about 12 weeks."

The centre aims to build on the success of the South Durham Gym Club, which attracts the cream of young gymnasts from across County Durham and Darlington.

It has already produced a string of international performers and medal winners.

The new centre will concentrate on artistic disciplines and complement centres in Deerness Valley, near Durham, and Benfield, in Newcastle.

Sport England expects the centre to have a huge impact on gymnastics in the region and to open up the sport to more youngsters, especially through links with Sedgefield Community College and children's agency SureStart.

This month, the leisure centre hosted the second Sedgefield gymnastics festival for more than 20 schools, as part of a school sports co-ordinator partnership.

Street improvement works are also being carried out in the town centre which will eventually link the shopping areas with the newly-developed leisure centre.