REPAIRING a community centre, which was badly damaged by arsonists, is expected to cost about £25,000.

The hall on Carr House Drive, Newton Hall, Durham, was targeted last month and was put out of action by the blaze.

Durham City Council officials are making plans to repair the building and are waiting for the insurance claim to be settled.

The centre is run by the Newton Hall Community Association and is home to several groups which have been forced to find other venues.

A report to the city council's community services committee from chief executive, Colin Shearsmith, said: "The building was secured but is unusable at the present time.

"The director of community services has given a provisional estimate of repairs costing in the region of £25,000.

"Officers have in hand arrangements for repairs to the building to proceed.

"Subject to the insurance claim for the loss being settled, most of the repair cost will be met from insurance.''

Mr Shearsmith said that councillors will be told if the insurance claim proves difficult to settle and there is a big shortfall.

The arson attack happened as the association faced a crisis, because its long-serving chairman, treasurer and secretary were planning to stand down and no one was offering to replace them.

But its future looks to have been assured after the annual meeting attended by 62 people. New officers and committee members came forward.

The association, formed in 1968, has 320 paid-up members and 100 people use the centre each week. It receives Durham County Council funding