A COMMUNITY centre has completed a £56,000 refurbishment in time for a show premiere.

Chester-le-Street Community Centre was awarded the grant by the Lottery Fund to install a lift that will allow disabled people to gain access to the centre and for general refurbishment.

Work began in October and is ready in time for Chester-le-Street Theatre Group's next play - the light comedy, One Too Many. It begins on Tuesday, February 10, and will be the first performance of a script written by new playwright David Welsh, of Cumbria.

The amateur dramatics group got hold of his work through an agency, New Theatre Publications, which circulates a catalogue of work by new playwrights. The author, Mr Welsh, will travel to Chester-le-Street to see the debut performance.

Chairman of the community centre and theatre group, Bill Stephenson, said: "It's going to be a world premiere. It's something brand new and something different."

"We've removed one of the staircases and put in a lift that will hold eight people and a wheelchair. It means the theatre is now fully accessible to everyone."

Tickets for the play are £4 and £3 and can be booked by ringing (0191) 385 7500 or (0191) 388 4752, or by calling in at the community centre on Newcastle Bank between 9.30am and 9.30pm.