A COMMUNITY house project to improve the lives of Ferryhill people is nearing completion.

Local groups are already benefiting from the Ferryhill Ladder project.

The initiative is the culmination of more than five years of hard work by the Ferryhill Lakes Residents' Association.

They have transformed two derelict houses in Coniston Road using grants of £220,000.

Leased on a peppercorn rent from Sedgefield Borough Council for 25 years, the house offers services to all residents.

Community development worker Sandy Denny said: "It gives local people access to things that they would have to travel to, which would mean they probably wouldn't do them. It is also a place for the community to come together and break down those barriers that exist between young and old."

The entrance of the house is a community caf, which looks out on to a children's play area.

The caf will also be used as a training kitchen for young people, working with groups including the Sedgefield Primary Care Trust and the health promotions team.

A cyberspace area will be available for free Internet access, teaching people how to get on-line.

A £5,000 award from the County Durham Foundation will help to complete the computer system.

Volunteers have been working hard to complete a room for the under-fives, which will be used primarily for mother and toddler activities.

Upstairs, accessible by a chairlift, there is a training room for a wide variety of courses. It has already been used by a group to gain certificates in basic food hygiene.

A multi-functional room is also being used by the Lakes Youth Forum and will eventually host arts and crafts activities.

The Ladder project, which stands for Lakes And District Education Resource Centre, still has some way to go.

But a series of activities are planned for half-term, when it is hoped all of the computer systems will be in place.

Future plans include landscaping around the house and creating an activity centre.

Veronica Birchall, of the residents' association, said fundraising efforts would be continuing to make sure the house is used to its full potential.