VILLAGERS have celebrated the reopening of their newly renovated community centre.

Boosbeck Community Centre, which was built 21 years ago, reopened following a two-year struggle to find £125,000 to modernise it.

Dr Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, who regularly uses the hall for his surgeries, attended the opening ceremony, which was performed by the Reverend Phillip Weetman.

The work was carried out with £80,000 from the National Lottery, £40,000 from Northern Rock and £5,000 from the Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency.

The centre's committee raised £2,000 through events to furnish the centre's kitchen.

The building has eight computers, access and facilities for disabled people and a new boiler, meaning it will be warmer in the winter.

Dr Kumar said: "I am delighted to be invited to the opening of the hall by Rev Weetman. Although he has now left the parish, it was his hard work that made all this possible.

"I know at first-hand how well the hall is regarded by villagers and the wide range of social activities the hall hosts.

"Now we have what is effectively a new village hall -one that will continue the same good work for years to come. This is a red letter day for Boosbeck."