A CAMPAIGN in aid of a cash-strapped historic community arts centre has been given a £60,000 boost.

Bosses at the Witham, in Barnard Castle, launched the Investing in the Witham campaign this summer with the aim of raising £150,000 by the end of the year.

They smashed their target of making £30,000 in the first 30 days– raising more than £42,000– and are now celebrating another windfall which secures its immediate future.

Durham County Council and county councillors from the town have agreed to contribute almost half of the fundraising total – match-funding the amount raised by the community.

The council will give £35,000 and the rest will come from the neighbourhood budgets of Councillors Richard Bell, Ted Henderson, George Richardson, James Rowlandson, Stephen Hugill and Heather Smith.

The members’ contributions will be distributed through Teesdale AAP.

The council will also work with the Witham’s board of trustees, staff and volunteers to ensure the centre is sustainable in the long-term.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “The Witham is not only an important community facility, it is also an historic building with a rich heritage, so we are particularly pleased to be able to support them.

“The funding we are providing will support the centre over the next six months but, more crucially, we will be offering advice and guidance that we hope will help secure the Witham’s future for the longer-term.”

Bob Garton, Chair of the Witham Trustees, said they are delighted with the news.

He said: "The decision came at a very critical point indeed for us and, together with the overwhelming support from the local community, means that the Witham is now in a strong enough position to move forward.

“Our particular thanks go to councillors who have jointly recognised that the Witham benefits the economy, the livelihoods and the wellbeing of people right across Teesdale.”

The venue, on Horse Market, features a collection of Grade II listed buildings dating back to 1846, including a former music hall, art gallery, box office shop and café which in 2013 underwent a £3.2 million regeneration.