THE residents of a small village near Consett are helping to bring their district into the 21st Century by transforming its 1930s' school into a new community centre.

Muggleswick Parish Community Association has been raising money to refurbish and redevelop the school, which is now the parish hall, with help from the County Durham Environmental Trust (Cdent).

Group secretary Helen Barrass, who organised funding from Cdent and other sources, said: "With only 100 local residents, the rural nature of Muggleswick needs a centre where villagers can get together.

"Both the hall building and grounds are situated on fell land, and have deteriorated a great deal since their days as a school.

"Despite work on the project being interrupted by the foot-and-mouth restrictions, our plans to enclose the immediate area surrounding the hall for community functions, and refurbish the interior, are now coming to fruition."

With the help of National Lottery grants, the group has already introduced toilets in the building, and has just received further Lottery funding to install a kitchen.

The hall is becoming a centre of village life with social evenings, coffee mornings and children's parties planned during the year, and it is hoped that the improved facilities will increase its role further.

Mrs Barrass said: "The whole of Muggleswick has been involved in the fundraising efforts, and we are seeing great changes.

"With £3,500 awarded from Cdent and the County Durham Foundation, we are now creating an area outside the hall that will be paved, attractively landscaped and fully lit to enable barbecues and outdoor parties to be held in the summer months."

Cdent chairman John Wearmouth said: "In small communities like Muggleswick it is important to have a focal point where local people can meet and enjoy events. At a time when village shops, pubs and even schools are facing closure because of dwindling population numbers, it is good to see Muggleswick's former school being put to such good use."