CAMPAIGNERS behind plans to transform a burnt-out school once attended by Stan Laurel into a museum and community centre in his name hope to apply for vital funding in the new year.

The Stan Laurel Community Building Group has applied for charity status to help revamp the derelict King James I Grammar School for Boys, in Bishop Auckland, which was extensively damaged in a 2007 arson attack.

Known locally as the Stan Laurel Museum, the young Laurel was taught there in 1902, while his father ran the nearby Eden Theatre.

The campaign group wants to save the old building from demolition and turn it into a landmark for the town.

Their plans include a Stan Laurel museum, sensory room, cafe, drama centre and it is believed Durham Amateur Football Trust would also like to create a museum in the premises.

Bishop Auckland MP, Helen Goodman met members of the group outside the grounds of the grade-II listed building on Friday (NOV 4) to give her backing.

“If this is at all possible then it will be really good,” she said. “This is a building with great potential and it could be a very beautiful building.

“It gives space for important aspects of out history through a combination of different things.

“Since the fire the whole situation has been very frustrating. I am very impressed with the ideas.”

The Stan Laurel Community Building Group chairman Michael O'Neill said: “Hopefully, we will be in a position to take over the site next year.

“We are in the process of becoming a charity and once this is in place we will be able to start applying for grants.

“We really want this to happen as we think it will be really good for the town and Stan Laurel is a major part of our history.

“We don’t know exactly how much will be needed but we thing at least £2.2m.”

Durham County Council is believed to be offering to replace the roof and ensure the building is structurally safe.

To get involved in the project visit stanlaurel.org.uk