PLANS for a £2.3m theatre and community centre to be built on the site of a disused pit have been unveiled.

The Special Needs Unity Group (Snug) - which caters for both people with learning disabilities and fully able people in County Durham - has completed a £4,500 feasibility study into the project and is to make a National Lottery bid.

Plans include establishing an outside ampitheatre, video and sound studio, a heritage walk and a centre of sporting excellence for both disabled and non-disabled people

The new centre would be built on the site of Snug's current centre on the former Morrison Busty pit site, near Annfield Plain.

The group received funding for the feasibility study from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

Snug chairman John Hails said: "We will be applying to the Lottery and a number of other organisations. First we are preparing to talk to both Derwentside District Council and the county council to get their support.

"This would be something for the whole of the community across the whole county and not just us.

"We consulted with the public and had a really good response. We have already made plans for the actual building.

"As you can imagine we are all very excited about this, but there is still a lot of work to do yet. This could be something to really help the area."

Meanwhile, the Annfield Plain group is preparing to conjure up a little theatre magic for this year's Edinburgh fringe festival show, called Merlin.

People will have the chance to see the premiere of the show, a musical comedy giving an alternative view of the life of Merlin, at the group's centre, The Venue, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 7.30pm. Last year, Snug's show was a hit at Edinburgh and earned praise in national Scottish papers.

Mr Hails has written Merlin, which contained adaptations of hits including The Sweet's Ballroom Blitz and the Monkeys' I'm a Believer. Tickets for this weekend's shows cost £5 (£4 concessions). Call (01207) 299040 to book.