A £500,000 scheme to establish a base for youth arts is being hampered by those it aims to help.

Work is under way to transform the former Co-op, in Front Street, Dipton, into a theatre workshop, information technology suite, healthy living centre and caf.

The Cap-a-Pie theatre group, which is behind the scheme, recently gained planning permission from Derwentside District Council, and has obtained funding to carry out initial work.

It is also awaiting the outcome of several grant bids from agencies such as the National Lottery.

The group's latest award, of £1,000, has come from the Co-op's community dividend scheme.

But because the building has suffered a number of attempted break-ins, Cap-a-Pie is having to spent the cash on security measures instead of putting it towards the alterations.

Executive director Jez Arrow said it was particularly frustrating as the centre is designed to help those who are causing the problem.

"We are in contact with a number of young people from the village and it's a very small minority who are making a nuisance of themselves," he said.

"It's very frustrating, as most of our work is with young people.

"Replacing broken windows was becoming a monthly thing - it was almost becoming a joke.

"Now we have had to put up a metal shutter, which spoils the look of the place for the whole village."

Cap-a-Pie was formed five years ago to cater for Dipton youngsters who were susceptible to anti-social behaviour, and has since expanded to attract those from across Derwentside, County Durham and Tyneside.

Last year, its proposal to build a workshop at the group's base at Manor House Farm, near Lanchester, was rejected.

It hopes to have completed the first phase of work at the former Co-op by September, in time for its next programme involving schoolchildren.

Mr Arrow appealed for the whole community to get behind the development.

"We are trying to do what we are good at, to involve the young people, but if they want to cause trouble, there's not much we can do," he said.

"It's up to the adults of the village to reclaim it and police the way young people are conducting themselves.

"If we can bring a sense of pride back to the area, we will have succeeded in our mission."