A COMMUNITY centre that is experiencing a new lease of life needs urgent funds to replace the floor.

The Neville Community Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, formerly the Over-60s Club, has been transformed since it was taken over by the Friends of Senior Citizens charity.

The group wants to replace the floor in the main hall, but recent work to replace boilers has depleted its resources.

Chairman Peter Beaty said: "The tiles on the floor have been there for 32 years and, as a consequence, are starting to crumble to the extent where they are becoming unsafe.

"We have patched them up, but it is only on a temporary basis and we really need to relay the tiles or put a wooden floor down."

Mr Beaty estimates it will cost about £3,500 to replace the tiles, and up to £14,000 to lay a wooden floor.

It is money the group does not have and Mr Beaty is hoping to attract a sponsor to pay for the project.

The centre is used by people aged from five to 90.

It has undergone several improvements since it was taken over almost a year ago.

Vandals hampered the efforts earlier this year when they snapped the flue off the roof boiler, causing a carbon monoxide leak during a bingo game. Two women received hospital treatment as a result, and it was that incident which forced the installation of the new boilers.

Mr Beaty said: "When we were asked if we would take it over I was very reluctant, because it was a 32-year-old building which had not had a penny spent on it in that time.

"It had a flat roof raining in in 20 places, the gents' toilet roof had caved in and it was in a deplorable state."

The group has spent money on the building, the lavatories have been refurbished, a coffee lounge has been created, a new kitchen has been installed.

To sponsor the floor contact Mr Beaty on (01325) 313924.