SECURING the longterm lease of a former school has been a drama for Earthbeat, a theatre group for adults with learning disabilities, but their story looks like it will have a happy ending now work has begun transforming a former school.

More than 60 volunteers have signed up restoring the old Saltburn primary over the next six weekends who will be assisted for a week by a team of Prince’s Trust helpers.

As well as giving Earthbeat a permanent home, the venue can be used by community groups to run classes from Tai Chi through to drumming workshops.

Some of the newly renovated classrooms will also available to rent to by social enterprises, local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Earthbeat had been campaigning for months to find a new home after their bid to take over the former Guisborough register office was knocked back by the local authority. In September it reached an agreement with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council which granted them a 50-year lease on the old Saltburn School.

"Armed with rollers, brushes and 300 litres of vintage cream emulsion, also known as magnolia, the volunteers are laying siege to the shoddy, flaking walls of the former primary school,” said Tony Galuidi, Earthbeat manager.

'We are so pleased that local people are wanting to support us and get behind this project. 'If half the people who offered to help turn up then we'll soon get through the work.

We've worked really hard to get to this point and although we've had quite a few battles with the council, but it seems that they are finally being supportive.”