A VOLUNTEER group hoping to run a Chester-le-Street community centre for the next 25 years need another £100,000 before refurbishment work can begin.

Functions at Bullion Hall, in Chester West, were brought to a halt a couple of months ago, when it closed pending its take-over by Chester-le-Street Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Voluntary Bureau.

While the local authority will retain the ownership of the hall, it was looking to the CVS to take on a 25-year lease and manage the building.

The group has raised almost £325,000, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Charities Board and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, but still needs another £100,000 before any work can get under way.

The imrovements will see upgraded community facilities for functions, and new office accommodation for local charities and community groups.

The CVS already runs Clarence Terrace's Volunteer Centre, which houses ten charities, but decided to take on Bullion Hall because they were running out of space.

CVS chief officer Belinda Lowis said yesterday: "Raising the money to refurbish Bullion Hall has taken much longer than we had originally anticipated.

"But, providing that we achieve our targets, this will be a very exciting project, both for the local community and for the local voluntary sector."

Anyone wanting more details should contact 0191-389 1960.