A DEVELOPING community project is celebrating after striking a deal to buy a County Durham dale's last surviving police station.

Under a deal struck two years ago, Stanhope Community Association has bought the Victorian-built property from Durham Police.

The deal will keep the 130-year-old station open because police are leasing back a fifth of the building to use as a base for beat officers and mobile patrols.

And it will give the association a secure base to develop community and training projects for people.

The move was funded with a £40,000 grant from the Northern Rock Foundation and £20,000 from Durham County Council following two unsuccessful bids to the National Lottery.

The association already occups much of the building, including Stanhope's old courthouse, and youth club members have helped with renovations.

Full-time youth worker Billy Hunt is based at the centre and runs young people's activities, as well as offering counselling and career guidance.

Weardale's Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is based there, along with a long-running outdoor activities project.

There are also facilities for education offered by Durham County Council, computer training, and space for meetings of groups such as a mother and toddler group, Weardale Photographic Society, carpet bowls and carers.

Volunteer Jo Hayes said the deal has given the association a secure base. She said: "We have a lot of exciting projects, particularly for young people, and some of our members travel from outside Weardale."

The association celebrated with a presentation night, rewarding 50 youngsters with certificates of achievement.