VANDALS are holding back progress on plans to create a community house in Chilton.

Margaret Taylor, chairman of Chilton West Residents' Association, outlined the problem in her annual report to members.

The group received the draft lease on 13 Coleridge Road last year and since then members have been offered, and accepted a lease on the neighbouring property.

Mrs Taylor said: "The final draft has just been prepared, and when repairs have been carried out and new planning permission has been obtained, the properties will be ours for at least the next 15 years."

But Mrs Taylor said efforts to create a resource for the whole community had not been without their problems and had given committee members "sleepless nights".

She said: "Sadly, in the intervening period, the properties have been badly vandalised, mainly from children living in the street, and often with the full knowledge of their parents.

"There is a lot of work to be carried out to educate parents that this is their building that their children are destroying."

The association has received funding and offers of help from a number of sources, including County Durham Foundation, the Gatsby Trust, Single Regeneration Budget round six, Crown Paints, Hydram Engineering and the Probation Service.

The group is also seeking funding for a part-time community worker to be based at the house and a house manager to develop activities.

Sure Start has also offered funding for providing a small play area for the under-fives.