RESIDENTS who have fought for years to see a piece of railway history restored to its former glory are celebrating its complete transformation.

Daniel Adamson's Coach House, in Shildon, was once earmarked for demolition by Sedgefield Borough Council before it was discovered that the building played a key part in the birth of the railways.

The coach house is now at the heart of the community for very different reasons as a meeting place for residents' groups and clubs.

Last week, residents and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the official re-opening of the building which has undergone a complete overhaul both inside and out.

Alan Pearce, manager of Timothy Hackworth Museum, performed the official opening ceremony and praised the hard work of the Coach House supporters who have fought a hard battle to keep it open.

He said: "I think it's marvellous. Everybody here tries really hard and this is a part of the community of Shildon."

Bill Kataky, design and conservation officer for Sedgefield Borough Council, oversaw the refurbishment project.

He said: "Something like £25,000 has been spent on the project and we have begged and borrowed to get the restoration done."

Some of the work done includes the stripping and rebuilding of the roof, windows have been re-opened and the garden has been completely refurbished.

Money has come from Sedgefield Borough Council, Shildon's Single Regeneration Budget, Lloyds TSB and the Community Chest Fund.