STAFF at a community centre are facing a race against time to secure funding for three vital posts.

Money for the three workers at the Jubilee Fields Community Centre, which is at the heart of the Jubilee Estate in Shildon, will run out next month, but an under-spend in Lottery funding means that they could continue in their posts until September.

The centre has established itself as the hub of the community since it opened five years ago.

Volunteers fought hard to raise money, which included a Lottery grant, to build the centre. Its success is seen as a testament to their hard work and determination.

It is used by hundreds of people of all ages offering services from tots and teens, mothers and toddlers, to luncheon club, bowls and bingo.

It is also looking at securing £2,000 funding for a youth worker to work with youngsters from the town on a Friday night.

Barbara Fuller, project worker at the centre, confirmed that her post was one of the roles which needed more funding.

She said that various applications had been made and said staff were doing all they could to get the funding.

She said: "The funding does run out in March, but we do have enough to keep going until September.

"Whatever happens, this does not mean that the centre is facing closure or anything like that. It will stay open regardless. It just means that we will have to put the plans for extension on hold until we sort this out.''