ONE of the oldest houses in a coastal town is to be demolished after surveys found it to be riddled with dry rot.

Rock House in Seaham, which was originally built as a manager's house for the Londonderry estate before becoming a community centre, has not been used since it was declared dangerous last year.

With repair estimates topping £1m Durham County Council has decided that there is no other option but to demolish the building.

There are plans to build a replacement building to house the many community groups that use the adjacent Rock House hall.

Rock House and its Victorian interior is a landmark in Seaham and its demolition will mark a significant loss to the town.

But Mayor of Seaham Councillor Barbara Ramshaw, who is caretaker and auxiliary worker at the centre, said that while it was regrettable that the old building had to be knocked down its unsafe condition had left no alternative.

The county council ordered its closure 12 months ago after several independent surveys revealed that dry rot had spread throughout the building.

For the past five months, Coun Ramshaw has worked from a temporary office while dozens of groups, including the town's Citizens Advice Bureau, have been operating in the Rock House hall, which dates from the 1940s.

The hall has become so oversubscribed that several community groups have had to find alternative temporary accommodation.

Coun Ramshaw said: "We have the plans for the new centre, which is largely single storey with a two-storey section, displayed in the hall and all the users have been asked for their views."

Many of the organisations are also fundraising for the new venture.

"Everyone wants to play their part in the provision of the new centre,'' said Coun Ramshaw