PROTESTORS angry at losing part of a council leisure centre staged a demonstration outside a doomed building yesterday.

The former Brancepeth Miners' Welfare Hall, in Willington, was shut last night as part of saving cuts at the Spectrum Leisure Complex, which has also been stripped of its loss-making ski slope.

Campaigners are determined to win support to get the 74-year-old hall reopened as a centre for the Willington community.

Some have used the hall since their childhood, when their miner fathers paid 6d a fortnight to keep it going.

Trustee Dorothy Allan said: "We are worried that once it is boarded up we will lose it. We are hoping that we can get enough support in the community to get funding together and run it again.

"The hall is supposed to be in trust for the people of Willington to be used as a recreation and community centre, and we are determined to keep it."

Lillian Bennett said: "We wanted to draw attention to what the council has done. There has been no consultation with the people of Willington."

Wear Valley District Council's leisure director, Paul Dobson, said: "We are undertaking an assessment of all community buildings and will work with any organisation that can demonstrate a use for the hall, but the council is not in a position to fund it."

Anyone wishing to support the campaign can contact Mrs Bennett on (01388) 746865, or Jean Walters 747827.