PLANS to refurbish a community hall have received a boost.

Mainsforth and District Community Association has received £3,900 from the National Lottery.

The cash boost will enable the association to start its refurbishment programme and fit new carpets and curtains in the main hall at the centre in Ferryhill Station.

Secretary Emma Jones said: "This is just the start. We are working with the job centre to get some services into the hall, starting with Jobsearch. Later this year we plan to introduce social and educational courses.

"About £250,000 is needed to give the building the look and pride it once had.

"Our aim is to redevelop the existing building to make it more accessible and useable."

The hall dates back to the Twenties and its original use was for the workers of Mainsforth Colliery and their families.

The buildings were used by the BBC during the Second World War to record a series of morale boosting radio shows.