THE LEADERS of a scout group say they could be facing closure in their 75th anniversary year if they don't raise £100,000.

The 2nd Chester-le-Street Group has been under threat ever since redevelopment plans for the town were announced three years ago.

Supermarket giants Tesco need the group's current site, in the former South Burns School building under the viaduct, to build their proposed store as part of the town centre redevelopment.

Bulldozers are expected to move in later this year, but in the meantime youngsters at the group have to put up with a cold, draughty building that shudders when trains pass overhead.

Fundraising efforts by staff and youngsters have pulled in £20,000 over the last two years, but the National Lottery say they cannot give them a grant until they've secured a new site - but a two-year search has yet to yield anything.

Leader Carole Atkinson said: "It would be so tragic if we had to close down, especially as it's our 75th anniversary next year. We hope to be celebrating something by then.

"Chester-le-Street District Co-uncil say it is looking for a suitable site for us but we've had nothing concrete for two years.

"We've worked out that we'll need around £100,000 once we've bought the land and built the new building. Unfortunately we can't get any money from the lottery until we have the land, so in the meantime, we'll have to continue our appeal for cash."

The group has a Beaver colony, two cub packs, a scout troop and a venture scout unit that total around 120 youngsters.

The group's Gang Show is being held at the Hermitage School from March 5-10 and ticket information is available from Carole Atkinson on (0191) 3882472