A THRIVING community association is hoping to repeat past fundraising successes with a £180,000 appeal.

In 1995, Lanchester Community Association raised £250,000 to restore its base in Newbiggen Lane and to buy the building from Durham County Council.

People contributed £25,000 to the appeal, which was part of Lanchester Emergency Action Fund (Leaf).

Now the association has begun a new appeal, called Fitness and Community Education Suites (Faces).

The association wants to provide a two-storey extension to the 140-year-old former Endowed Parochial School.

The extension will house a weight training centre, fitness centre and improved reception area on the ground floor.

On the first floor, there will be a learning centre with computer facilities, a meeting room, a treatment and relaxation area, a sauna, shower and changing facilities, and a coffee bar.

The project has the support of North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, Derwent-side district, Lanchester parish and Durham county councils.

The county council's chief executive, Kingsley Smith, is a former Lanchester resident.

Ken Gardiner, a member of the association's management and executive committee, said the extension would make the centre even more of a community focal point.

"We've had an exercise centre running for a couple of years now, as well as a computer centre called Computers 4 All, and they have proved very successful," he said.

"The demand is very high, so we would like to extend at the back of the building.

"The centre is the only leisure facility in the community, and all the local organisations use it."

While association members are working on funding applications to the National Lottery and other bodies, people living in the area are being asked to raise £18,000.

Through a publicity campaign, involving the local newsletter, the Village Voice, they are being urged to organise fundraising events or make financial contributions.

Lanchester Lions Club has already donated £1,000, and the appeal stands at £1,400.

Mr Gardiner said: "It's early days yet but you have to be optimistic. Once the publicity gets out that the fund stands at £1,400, people will start thinking it's getting somewhere."