A COMMUNITY hall that has been derelict for years is to reopen after a sweeping £500,000 refit.

Bullion Hall in Chester-le-Street quickly became the linchpin of its community after it was built in the 1960s.

But over the years its popularity declined and it eventually became so vandalised that it was closed three years ago.

Now the Council for Voluntary Services has given the centre on Bullion Lane a new lease of life, after finding £500,000 for a revamp.

Rooms have been created to provide a permanent base for community, and voluntary organisations and people living in Chester-le-Street have access to the hall.

Centre manager Keith Robson said: "It was originally a community building where they had things like tea dances and weddings, but over the years it fell out of use.

"We only reopened less than two weeks ago, but it's a very unusual concept.

"It's not a community hall, it's a community building, but with offices for charities to use as a base."

About half the funding for the hall refurbishment came from the National Lottery's charities board and the rest came from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, One NorthEast and other agencies.

An official opening ceremony is expected to take place this summer. But first Keith Robson would like to find out the history behind the community centre's name.

He said: "I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who knows where the name comes from, or what stood on the site before it."

Contact him on (0191) 3871149.