SUPPORTERS of a community centre have received a cash windfall.

A Big Lottery Fund grant of £92,000 will mean a full-time manager can be appointed to run St Cuthbert's Youth and Community Centre, in Middlesbrough's West Lane.

The centre has been running for two years, thanks to £250,000 in funding from West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust, £20,000 from the Church Urban Fund and £4,000 from the Parish of St Martin's with St Cuthbert's.

The centre previously operated from a rundown church hall.

The latest funding, in addition to paying the centre manager, will support the centre's management committee and help train a team of volunteers.

Joan Ford, chairwoman of West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust, said: "The centre is a little gem for the neighbourhood and I look forward to it being developed.

"Thanks to this funding, we will be able to offer even more facilities and make more people aware of what the centre can offer."

There is an open evening at the centre, in Whitehouse Street, on Wednesday.