VOLUNTEERS who fought to build a community centre on their housing estate are celebrating after receiving a grant for almost £100,000.

The Jubilee Fields Centre, in Shildon, has received £98,760 from BBC Television's Children In Need appeal, for a play development worker.

Since the centre was opened in 2001 it has gone from strength to strength and established itself at the heart of the community.

Its success is a testament to the residents who fought a seven-year battle to build their own centre on an estate that had very few facilities.

It is mainly run by volunteers and is used by between 450 to 500 visitors a week.

Centre manager Ephraim Bunting said: "We have between 70 and 100 kids using the centre every week and what we really need is to develop the centre for those kids.

"We need someone who will get in touch with all the children's groups and integrate them all so that we are all working together.''

The grant will be given to the centre in instalments over three years. It will be spent on wages for the play development worker and materials needed for children's activities.

Mr Bunting said: "I think that this money will be extremely well-spent.

"We are delighted and surprised to be getting the money from Children in Need. We all watch it on the television every year and make our donations, but you never expect to be a recipient."

It is hoped that the appointment of a play development worker will attract more young people to use the centre.

It is already working to full capacity and plans are in the pipeline for an extension to provide more function rooms and storage.

The play development worker post will be advertised shortly, and it is hoped that someone will be appointed by the end of September or beginning of October.

Mr Bunting said: "The sooner the better for us. We cannot wait to get started.''