A VILLAGE hall association which has worked tirelessly to provide facilities for sports and activities in a former pit village has been given a royal seal of approval.

The Quaking Houses Village Hall Association was one of a handful of groups in the North-East to receive the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award.

A certificate signed by the Queen and commemorative piece of crystal were presented to committee members by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson.

Honorary treasurer Liz Coulson, who has been a driving force behind the project, said: "This is our Everest. We started work nearly 30 years ago. For the first three years we raised money, collecting 10p a week from residents, to buy a prefabricated building for a village hall.

Villagers used the facility for 18 years and in November 1997 opened a £500,000 community centre, after receiving one of the first National Lottery awards.

The centre is used every day and night of the week. Events range from toddlers' groups to sequence dancing. The centre also has a Ladies' Friends Club, a 100-member youth club, stroke club and provides information technology lesson in a computer suite.

Presenting the award, Sir Paul said: "The award recognises and rewards excellence in voluntary activities by some of the unsung heroes of our communities.

"Quaking Houses Village Hall Association is deserving of such recognition.

"Your group provides a varied and comprehensive range of facilities for the community and is supported and appreciated by all age groups.

"Indeed the majority of people in the community are members - living proof of how much the association is valued."