A COMMUNITY centre has become a victim of its own success because its popularity has seen running costs soar beyond its means.

Members of the management committee at Auckland Youth and Community Centre are sending out a rallying call for help to see them through tough times.

The centre, on Woodhouse Close estate, Bishop Auckland, is attracting more visitors and providing more activities than ever before in its 40-year history.

It runs after-school clubs and a youth drop-in service, which helps to keep young people in one of the country's most deprived areas off the streets and out of trouble.

Other organisations also use the centre to hold computer courses, employment days and advice surgeries.

But the down side to the good period, combined with rising utility costs, is that the centre now faces a funding crisis and may have to temporarily lay off three members of staff.

To cut the wages bill by about £4,500 between now and next April, when the centre hopes to receive external funds, a part-time cleaner, part-time caretaker and full-time administration worker have been warned their jobs will have to go.

Treasurer Peter Hall said: "We secured funds three years ago and couldn't predict how far certain costs would rise. Now we have a deficit and need a little help to get us through the next few months.

"We get support from councils and charities, but the volunteers who manage the centre need to raise a lot of money for basic running and maintenance costs, which is where the real problem lies.

"It isn't all negative, we are very popular and doing a good job. The centre started as a boys' club in the 1960s and at one point faced closure, but it was extended about eight years ago and has gone from strength to strength.

"But until we can receive grants in the next financial year, we need to cuts costs and find extra money."

Mr Hall said volunteers could help to look after the building, covering for the staff that are being made temporarily redundant, and donations would be welcomed.

Anyone who can help, is asked to call project development worker Elsie Race on (01388) 604575.