VILLAGERS are nearing their dream of getting their first community centre.

Chester-le-Street District Council has approved plans for a £330,000 community centre to be built in Grange Villa, on the site of the village's former primary school.

The Grange Villa Junior School, in East Street, closed about 30 years ago when West Pelton Primary School opened, and the building was then used as a youth centre.

But it became a frequent target for vandals and was badly damaged by fire about two years ago.

Now, thanks to residents, plans for a new centre have been drawn up with provision for a meeting room, a play area, office accommodation for a Surestart initiative, two baby clinics, kitchen and cafe.

Sylvia Pyle, of the Grange Villa Enterprise Group, said they had been pushing for the development for about four years and had nearly raised enough money for the hall.

Hard work has amassed the sum of £22,000 already, and it is hoped that this will unlock significant grants to complete the project.

She said: "There's one or two Lottery grants we need to apply for, but we're nearly there. Since the school closed we have been pushing for this, because there's nothing here for the kids at the moment. We're a determined village."

The Chester-le-Street district councillor for the area, Ray McDermott, said: "It will be for the benefit of the whole community.

"The village community has done all the hard work raising funds and getting grants."