VILLAGERS are nearing their dream of getting their first designated community centre.

Chester-le-Street District Council approved plans last week for a community centre to be built in Grange Villa on the site of the village's former primary school.

The Grange Villa Junior School on East Street closed about 30 years ago when West Pelton Primary School opened and the building was then used as a youth centre. But it became a frequent target for vandals and was eventually burnt down about two years ago.

Now, thanks to residents, plans for an ambitious new centre have been drawn up with provision for a meeting room, play area, office accommodate for a Surestart initiative, two baby clinics, kitchen and caf.

Sylvia Pyle from Grange Villa Enterprise Group said they have been pushing for the development for about four years and had nearly raised enough money for the hall.

She said: "There's one or two lottery grants we need to apply for but we're nearly there. Since the school closed we have been pushing for this, because there's nothing here for the kids at the moment. We're a determined village."

Chester-le-Street District councillor for the area Ray McDermott said: "It will be for the benefit of the whole community. The village community has done all the hard work raising funds and getting grants."