RESIDENTS have vowed to work to keep prevent the closure of a miners' hall in east Durham.

Hundreds of people converged on the Vane Tempest Social Welfare Centre in Seaham for a meeting, amid fears the facility could shut down.

The crumbling building on New Drive is in urgent need of a £180,000-plus refurbishment, but efforts to get cash from a £370,000 fund created by the three builders behind East Shore Village have been knocked back.

Now the community has pledged to draw up a plan to will determine what action to take and to develop it into a facility for the whole community.

Easington District Council leader Councillor Alan Napier has said the authority would help by putting forward £20,000 to pay for a centre manager's wages for a year.

Residents and businesses have also said they will donate cash to any fund-raising appeal and will help boost the centre's revenue by using its facilities.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the club can contact the hall on 0191-581 2744.