OFFICIALS at a community centre have reacted with anger after youths attempted to burn down the building.

Firefighters were called to the centre at Leadgate, near Consett, shortly before 10pm on Saturday.

Ken Ball, centre caretaker and main officer, said: "I am absolutely furious. We know this was done by yobbos from around here."

Mr Ball had spotted a gang of teenagers loitering outside the centre when he locked it up at 9pm.

He said youths had attempted to break into the centre by the front door. When they failed, they ripped out an extractor fan and packed it with waste paper before setting it alight.

Firefighters quelled the flames and the only damage was to a computer suite, which was choked with smoke.