Plans to turn a disused building into a beacon for culture and youth art have been unveiled.

Community theatre company Cap-a-Pie aims to establish a centre in Dipton, creating a focus for the arts in Derwentside and the wider region.

Proposals for the former Co-operative building include facilities for theatre workshops, an information technology suite and a caf.

Cap-a-Pie artistic director Gordon Poad said: "We would like this to represent something of real quality and to help put Derwentside as an area on the arts map.

"The venue itself will contribute towards attracting college leavers looking for space to exhibit and set up practices."

Mr Poad said the old dance hall had potential to be developed into a dance studio, while also providing space for complementary therapy.

He said: "A particular slant will be on introducing arts to young people who would not normally think about it as their first interest.

"We are thinking of making a video involving youths talking about life in the village. We want to get them to help us design the right resource for them."

The development comes a year after the group's plans to build a workshop at its base at Manor House Farm, near Lanchester, were overturned.

Cap-a-Pie was formed five years ago to help young people in Dipton. It has expanded and now attracts people from Derwentside, Tyneside and County Durham.

Managers are exploring all possible avenues to raise cash for the project.

Mr Poad said: "We hope to be opening an office in one of the shop units in the New Year, to enable residents to come along and find out more about the plans.