VOLUNTEERS are looking for funding to give their meeting place a much needed revamp.

The Village Centre in West Auckland has become a vital part of community life since it opened in a former terraced house on the green in 2001.

It followed months of hard work by villagers John Niven, Martin Roberts and fellow members of the West Auckland Community Partnership.

Now it has become a regular meeting place for the village carnival committee as well as people who call for a coffee and a chat.

Young people also use it as a meeting place for their Teens In Action Group and exhibitions are also held there.

So far the partnership has managed to support the centre through a series of fundraising events but now it is applying for grants.

It is hoping lottery funds and other organisations will be able to help with money for central heating, new windows, kitchen facilities, disabled toilet and access and even new front and back doors.

Other much-needed items are crockery, exhibition facilities, lockable cupboards for centre users, flooring and tables and chairs.

Susan Heald, from the partnership, said that even though the centre had been self-sufficient so far it was now in need of help to bring the place up to standard.

She said: "We run it on a six-month lease. It was open through the summer of 2001 but closed during the winter.

"This time we have managed to keep open through the winter and we are hoping to extend the lease again in the summer."

Mrs Heald said that a book written by Martin Roberts featuring old pictures and tales of the past, has raised £1,500 so far and had proved so popular it is being reprinted.. The book is still available from the centre for £4.50.

Mrs Heald said: "We really do need some help even if we can get volunteers who will help with the decor."