A COMMUNITY coffee lounge is going from strength to strength after nearly ten years.

St Nicholas’ Church’s Community Coffee Lounge is now open in the church in Durham Market Place six mornings a week, Monday to Saturday, from 10am to noon.

Organisers aim to provide a welcoming place for locals and visitors, with volunteers available to chat to guests.

Over nearly a decade, 116,000 cups of fairtrade tea and coffee have been served.

There is a also different activity each weekday. There is a prayer and Bible study meeting on Mondays, craft session on Tuesdays and Holy Communion at 10.30am on Wednesdays.

Online Owls meet on Thursdays with the aim of helping people develop internet skills. This is run with Cestria Community Housing.

Finally, the NE First Credit Union runs a collection point on Fridays.

Although its primary aim is to provide a welcome, the lounge also raised more than £35,000 for local charities between January 2009 and April this year.

All are welcome to drop in during the week.