A COMMUNITY has launched a campaign to ensure that a derelict school building is used as a facility for local people.

Residents living near Harrowgate Hill Infants' School, in Darlington, insisted that the building - currently for sale - should become a community centre.

They said the North Road area has inferior leisure facilities to other parts of Darlington, and have demanded that money is invested in the area.

Councillors have written to Darlington Borough Council asking that the site be considered for community use, claiming there is inadequate provision for youths and the elderly in the area.

Yesterday, residents said that such a facility was long overdue, and claimed it could help cut the crime-rate in the area.

Tina Jones said: "It's like we're not seen as important in this area. Other areas have new facilities, but what have we got?

"If we got a community centre that could be used by youths, it would keep them off the streets.

"There is often vandalism near where I live, usually by kids out of boredom. If we gave them somewhere to go, something to do, it could help solve that."

Pensioner Joan Young added: "People my age don't want to go out at night, so we need somewhere during the day.

"But kids are the opposite, so we need somewhere for both of us. A community centre would be lovely."

Fiona Hall, North-East Liberal Democrat Euro MP, yesterday added her support to the growing campaign, and met with local residents outside the school.

"People really want to see a community centre and this building seems ideal," she said.

"People have a long way to go into town from this area, which doesn't seem right, especially considering how many live here."

North Road councillors Steve Jones and Fred Lawton called on other councillors and residents to support them.

Councillor Jones said: "This could be an ideal youth centre, library, community centre, which could open seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year.

"This site borders both the North Road and Harrowgate Hill areas of town, so could be used by people from both - there are about 8,000 residents up here."

Councillor Lawton added they would continue to petition the council.

A spokesman for the borough council last night said there had been "substantial investment" in that area recently, on facilities including the new £5.5m Harrowgate Hill Primary School.

He added that more than £80,000 had been spent on out-of-school activities for youngsters.