A PLANNED £1.2m community venture yesterday took a giant leap forward by securing £400,000 Lottery funding.

The grant is a large piece of the jigsaw which will lead to the completion of a one-stop centre catering for a town residents' needs.

The project is the brainchild of the Bishop Auckland Community Partnership, which is attempting to regenerate the area.

The Grade II listed John Wesley Centre in Newgate Street will house a range of services, youth work projects and drop-in facilities for all age groups.

The project, which is to be called The Four Clocks, will provide creche facilities, parent and toddler groups, after-school groups and space for leisure and socialising.

Nearly 30 groups and organisations have expressed a strong interest in being involved in the community resource centre.

Partnership member Jane Armstrong said: "The aim of the new initiative is to investigate the possibility of responding to the identified needs of the local community through developing a vital and comprehensive "one-stop" service of care, advice, support and development in a welcoming and readily accessible building.

"This grant is good news and is the first step in the regeneration of Bishop Auckland town centre."

The partnership is now hoping the remaining money needed to begin work on the project will soon be pledged.

The Church Urban Fund has donated £20,000 and the Scotto Trust, a fund for projects in South West Durham, has donated £60,000.

A meeting was held with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust on Monday in a bid to secure more grant aid.

Wear Valley district councillor Barbara Laurie chaired a meeting of the partnership for the formal announcement of the grant funding.

She said: "Everyone wants to see regeneration in the town centre. There is a lot of feeling in Bishop Auckland that we want to get this done.

"This is the first positive financial step we have seen."

The community partnership is an open shop and would welcome new members and ideas. Anyone interested in having an input in the group's work can contact the chairman, the Reverend Dr Michael Thompson, at Bishop Auckland Methodist Church, in Cockton Hill Road.