VILLAGERS are celebrating following the news that their newly renovated community centre is to reopen.

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

The building will be opened next month.

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

The committee of the Boosbeck Community Centre have also raised £2,000 through pie and peas evenings, prize bingo events and tombolas to kit out the kitchen.

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

"It was looking very tired before the refurbishment," said treasurer and secretary Kath Jackson. "We are delighted."

She said she hoped the 1,200 residents of Boosbeck will make the most of the centre.