A CLOSED-DOWN Co-op building which was once the commercial heart of an East Durham village looks set for an expensive new lease of life.

And the move can't come soon enough for the young people of Haswell who have long complained about the lack of amenities in the rural community.

It was the youngsters' constant call for somewhere to meet which prompted resident Brian Mawson to take a close look at the possible potential of the derelict building.

Once news of Mr Mawson's interest in the building spread in the community, young people wasted no time in compiling a petition backing his planning application to convert the store into a multi-purpose complex including a youth centre.

A total of 250 names have now been collected on the petition, which was submitted, along with Mr Mawson's planning application, to Easington District Council.

The application was presented to the authority's development control and licensing panel.

Members were told that the ambitious development included a youth centre, ancillary caf and offices, and shops on the ground floor.

On the first floor there will be a fitness centre and caretaker's residence.

The panel was told of the petition from the village children and of the pressing need for a youth centre which it was claimed would keep youngsters off the streets.

The council's head of planning and building control, Ian Forster, said after discussions, it had been considered that "this is an acceptable form of development which will bring a new use to a building which is currently redundant."

Mr Forster also told members that he believed that the multi-purpose conversion of the old Co-op would inject new vitality into the area.

Mr Mawson told the panel he wanted to do something for his village. He said he had been further persuaded by the fact there was little or no provision for young people in the village.

The application was conditionally approved and although Mr Mawson was unavailable for comment last night, a friend said the project would take some time to complete and confirmed that the venture would cost thousands of pounds.