VILLAGERS hope to win grants totalling £470,000 to improve their community centre, based in a former chapel.

Members of the community association that runs the centre in Cockfield, near Barnard Castle, have applied to Teesdale District Council for planning permission and listed building consent to extend the premises.

The plans include putting in an upper floor which will make use of the roof space.

It would house an information technology suite, a meeting area and a youth room.

The ground floor of the building would be refurbished, to provide a dining room for lunch clubs, a hall that could be used as a cinema, an area suitable for a creche and meetings, and a kitchen and storage area.

Community development worker Danielle Barnes said: "We hope to arrange training courses in various subjects as well as exercise classes and outreach services. We want facilities for arts, crafts, bingo and any other activities that people like."

It is expected that building work will cost £350,000, plus £10,000 for furnishings and £20,000 for information technology equipment.

A further £90,000 will be set aside to pay for a centre manager for three years.

Bids for grants are being made to the Lottery Community Fund, the ERDF Objective 2 Fund and the Northern Rock building society.