THERE is a scene in Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life where George is dancing with Mary when the ground opens up between them and they fall into a swimming pool beneath the dancefloor.

It was unrealistic and exciting for many County Durham cinema-goers in 1946, but for some it was not so far-fetched.

The Majestic, in Esh Winning, had a swimming pool, a dance hall, a billiards room, a stage for live acts, a shop and a library as well as a cinema, which may have shown the film.

It was housed in the Memorial Hall, built in 1923 in memory of miners who were killed in the First World War.

Pitmen contributed 3d per week for its construction along with mine owner Richard Pease and Co, of the Darlington Quaker family, who put in £3,000, about a third of the costs.

It was designed by local architect JA Robson and the impressive structure is a late example of the Edwardian Baroque style.

The front of the Grade II- listed building is light red engineering brick, with elaborate yellow terracotta dressings. It is symmetrical, with two end bays and a centre bay, with a clock tower and terracotta balustrades on the parapet.

Initially, it was used by miners for leisure activities, as a meeting hall and community centre, making it one of the grandest in the North-East.

In 1936, it was taken over by Spennymoor fruit and veg trader Robert Edwards.

His daughter, May Ashworth, now 78, lives in Sunderland Bridge, Croxdale.

She remembers seeing Gone With The Wind and The Wizard of Oz at the Majestic.

"It was a bit like a dream factory. This was before the days of television and the only radio station we listened to was Luxembourg, so it used to really brighten our lives up," she said.

"It was the only way people could see America. It seemed like a different planet."

Cinema-goers used to get two films, a newsreel and cartoons like the Max Fleischer's Popeye classics.

When war broke out, the hall was used as a rations centre. In 1941, it was commandeered by the Government and converted into makeshift barracks following the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Hundreds of soldiers stayed there until they could be re-clothed and recover from their injuries.

American GIs with their chewing gum and chocolate used to woo the ladies at the Majestic's dances.

Brenda Kirk, 65, of Esh Winning, said: "I remember going to the dances. There was no beer or drink - you just used to go along to have a great time."

The Majestic continued until 1956. Its closure coincided with the rise of television and rock and roll.

It was used as a shirt factory, but shut again in 1962, only to be revived as a social club, bingo hall and disco in 1964, which ran until the early 1970s.

Today, the windows are boarded up, plants grow from beneath the wood and pigeons get in through holes in the roof.

Inside, it is filled with rubbish and has been vandalised countless times.

In 2001, Esh Winning 2000 Group commissioned a feasibility study that concluded the building could be renovated, but it would costs millions of pounds.

Durham City Councillor David Cummings, who represents Esh Winning, is chairman of the group.

He urged people interested in gaining funding to give the Majestic a long-overdue facelift to attend the next group meeting, on Thursday, at 7pm, in Esh Winning Library.

Coun Cummings said: "Virtually everyone wants something done. Maybe it could be a community centre.

"But it is a massive project and we need people to get involved if we are to make good use of the building. We have to. It is part of our heritage."