VOLUNTEERS got the paint brushes out to spruce up a village community centre.

They spent two days decorating and cleaning up a committee room at Croxdale Community Centre, which suffered water damage a few years ago and has not been used since.

The work was organised by Durham Volunteer Bureau to mark Make a Difference Day, a national event organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV).

Volunteer bureau co-ordinator Rhianne Jones said: "The centre is at the heart of Croxdale village, and is used by many community groups, yet it has been long neglected.

"The bureau has been working with Croxdale Community Association, the CSV Action Desk at BBC Radio Newcastle and Barclays Bank on a project to give the centre a new lease of life. The committee room at the centre had water damage a few years ago, and although it has dried out, the room hasn't been used since.

"A new heating system has recently been installed and Louise Sheldon, of Croxdale Community Association, wants the room converted so that local community groups can use it."

Ms Sheldon said the centre was "the only thing we have in the village - we've lost the local post office - and its nice for people to come along and get together".

The effort was backed by Barclays Bank and the Asda supermarket at Spennymoor, furniture company NESS, Armstrong's Cleaning Company and Regency Blinds.

Ms Jones said it had helped people learn new skills and find out more about volunteering.