RESIDENTS of a deprived, drug-blighted village who are battling to turn its fortunes around will celebrate a step forward today.

A community centre is to open in East Street, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, and bring back facilities missing for more than a decade.

The previous community centre, in the former Grange Villa County Mixed School, was a no-go area after it became a haven for drug users.

It was vandalised, set on fire and finally demolished seven years ago.

Edna Passmoor, centre secretary, said: "Something had to be done for the young people and now, thankfully, the problems of a few years ago seem to be over.

"The centre has put the heart back into the village."

Facilities at the £720,000 complex include training rooms, a caf, crche, youth club and a pain management clinic. Since it opened a few weeks ago, a range of classes have started, including computer training, stitchcraft, a ladies club and baby massage. There is also a lunch club, serving meals every weekday.

For youngsters, there are two youth clubs, for under-12s and teenagers.

Ann Blewitt, centre chairwoman, said: "There was nothing here for youngsters and we wanted to provide something that would entertain them and keep them off the streets.

"The pensioners are really enjoying coming to the lunch club as well. Some people are meeting friends they haven't seen for a long time."

The centre will include a SureStart early years centre. This has a nursery with separate baby and toddler facilities, and an outdoor play area.

It will also be home to the baby weighing clinic, which presently uses a room in the village working men's club.

Villagers raised £20,000, but the project gathered momentum in 2001, when it won was given £350,000 by the European Regional Development Fund. SureStart matched this and Durham County Council provided the land for free.

"It was European funding that finally got us this building," said Mrs Blewitt.

"Once we had that, we were able to attract other funding and the plans really got off the ground."

The complex will be opened by the youngest and eldest residents in the former pit village - Hannah Blenkiron, who is six months old, and Elijah Pyle, aged 86.