A rural community celebrates the culmination of its National Lottery windfall on Saturday with the opening of its new village hall.

The people of Waterhouses, in the Deerness Valley, six miles west of Durham, are to stage a summer fair to mark the official opening of the hall.

It has been created thanks to the award of a grant of more than £3m from the National Lottery Charities Board to Waterhouses Community Association.

The hall is used by a youth club, the local over-sixties, mothers and toddlers, an art and craft group, a local history class, keep-fit group, wine and breakfast clubs, with more classes planned for later in the year.

The hall is also home to the local women's institute, has hosted horticultural classes run by Houghall College, plus events like murder mystery and Irish and American theme nights.

It has also proved popular for functions.

Young people of the village will carry out the opening, by cutting a ribbon wrapped round the building, marking the start of the fair.

Attractions include a Punch and Judy show, a fire engine, bouncy castle, face-painting, a bean eating competition, craft and cake stalls, plus a barbecue.

The celebration continues in the evening, with a social get-together for the adults. The bar will be open and everyone attending is asked to contribute by bringing along food to share.

The ribbon-cutting to open the building and summer fair takes place at 1pm tomorrow.