A VILLAGE community centre is to get a new lease of life thanks to a grant of more than half a million pounds.

SureStart Teesdale is working in partnership with Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Centre Association to transform the centre in Evenwood into a facility to meet the needs of the whole community for learning, recreation, meeting and socialising.

When the refurbishment is complete the new-look centre will house a neighbourhood nursery, cinema club, creche, parent and toddler group, cyber cafe, IT club and many other projects as the centre develops.

Angie Wade, chairwoman of the community centre partnership, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for the people of Evenwood and surrounding areas.

"£550,000 of SureStart funding is going into a marvellous building which will be there for the whole community, aged from 0-90, for many years to come.

"We hope that people will not only use the centre but will want to join one of the organisations which make up the Community Centre Partnership and contribute directly to making this a huge success."

Gillian Quille, programme manager for SureStart Teesdale, said: "This building has a good history and is used by a number of community groups.

"We will be working in partnership with the community association and other community groups to carry that on. We don't just want services for 0-5 year olds. There are other people who are currently using the building and we also hope to develop lots of new activities.

"I'm sure that lots of good things will develop out of this partnership."

The centre will close for refurbishment this month and it is anticipated it will reopen in July next year.

Existing users have been found other premises for the closure period.

It is hoped the centre will provide jobs for local people in the administration of the centre and for staff at the nursery.