A DISUSED neighbourhood centre will once again become the heart of a community, aftera refurbishment.

The Phoenix Centre has been dormant for several years, but before its demise it was the hub for facilities in Hartlepool's Central estate.

Housing Hartlepool, the town's largest housing association, will be carrying out a £20,000 project that includes structural alterations, redecoration, visual aids and computers for the IT suite.

Part of the building will provide offices for the primary care trust and adult services integrated team.

Mick Thompson, resident participation manager for Housing Hartlepool, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to provide this resource on the Central estate.

"The estate tenant management organisation (TMO) has been working over the recent years to improve services in the area.

"The Phoenix Centre will provide a focus for the residents. It will become a base for community activities, and the training services will assist the residents in having a much greater say in the running of the estate."

Bringing back a key facility on the estate coincides with the TMO's successful bid for £26,000 from the Housing Corporation and the Communities and Local Government Department for piloting neighbourhood studies.

The work aims to help residents extend their influence, through neighbourhood management.

Housing Hartlepool will be carrying out work to increase the large reception area to 1,250sq ft, an area that will be used for training, consultations, seminars and community events.