LOTTERY managers have praised a newly built community centre as a shining example of how to be a success.

The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, in Shildon, was a dream that people living on the Jubilee Housing estate fought hard to make a reality. A £450,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund gave a significant boost to the £600,000 project.

The centre, run by volunteers, opened two years ago. This week Lady Diana Brittan, chairwoman of the Community Fund, visited the centre. She said: "This visit has taught me a lot about this community and how they have fought to build a community centre that is well used by the community. It has taken guts to achieve this and I wanted to see first hand how successful it is."