NEW life is being breathed into a community centre which is rising from the ashes of a suspected arson attack earlier this year.

The local community is being urged to get behind the venture and make use of the refurbished centre, on Durham's Newton Hall estate.

The centre, in Carr House Drive, was part of the original Newton Hall farmstead dating back 250 years, well before any development of the area.

However, the fortunes of the centre reached a low ebb earlier this year, with committee members of the community association threatening to stand down, frustrated at a lack of support from local people.

The centre was further blighted when it was damaged by fire, believed to have been started by young arsonists.

Following appeals in the area, new faces have found their way on to the association committee, while Durham County Council has carried out repairs to the fire-damaged centre.

The new committee members have carried out much of the clean up, fitting new carpets themselves to cut costs.

Each room is steadily being re-appointed and the centre is now once again up and running.

The people of Newton Hall are being urged to make use of the centre and are invited to join the association at the next monthly meeting, on Tuesday, at 7pm, or prior to a planned 250th anniversary celebration for the building next month.

New secretary Amanda Hopgood said anyone planning to attend the celebration, on Thursday, September 18, must be a member of the association as it has yet to gain a public entertainment licence, preventing admittance to all-comers.

"It's a chance to recognise the efforts of the long-serving officers of the committee with a presentation, followed by a buffet and disco.

"The centre is operating again and we're trying to encourage as many people as possible to make use of it."

Mrs Hopgood said regular events include playgroups, taekwondo, badminton, and senior citizens' lunch, while the centre is also home to the local Rainbow troop.

Annual membership of the association costs £1.50 for adults and 50p for under 16s.

Further information is available from bookings secretary Sandra Whitmore, on 0191-383 1524.