A PARISH has raised enough cash to get a half-million pound community centre project started.

The parish of St Hilda and St Columba, in Darlington, needed to raise £491,775 to get the community centre redevelopment work off the ground.

The congregation started holding fundraising events, including discos and jumble sales, in August 1998, and secured a £300,000 grant from the National Lottery and have recently achieved their target.

A ceremony to cut the first turf at the site where Clifton Community Centre will be built, in Clifton Avenue, will be held on Tuesday, at 12.15pm.

Building work is then expected to get under way within three weeks, lasting 20 weeks, so the new centre will be completed in September.

The development will see a modern, durable and sustainable building created to offer a focal point within the community.

It was felt that the existing building is outdated, and is hindering the church's work in the community.

The new building will have improved lavatory facilities, with baby changing space, a new kitchen, coffee bar and lounge, a new community hall, office and meeting rooms, as well as an extended and refurbished worshipping area.

Brian Degnan, parish treasurer for St Hilda and St Columba, said that it is hoped the redevelopment will improve access to facilities for all users.

At present, about 200 people use the hall each week, which Mr Degnan believes can be doubled by improving the centre.

The church wants to offer facilities for sports, information and link services, and sessions to improve other skills, such as educational and confidence building.

Mr Degnan said: "We have held all sorts of fundraising events over the last few years. Everyone has just pitched in and now we have the money and can get things under way.

"The project will create opportunities for more volunteers and employment for at least four people. Partnerships and links with both voluntary and statutory agencies will be made, and we will reach more vulnerable people in the wider community."