RESIDENTS are being invited to help breathe new life into a village community.

Leaders of the newly founded Sherburn Hill Hub hope to secure a new community centre for the Durham village, support groups and clubs and foster community spirit.

A carnival and fun day will be held on Saturday (September 19) at Sherburn Hill Primary School.

Hub chair Kath Pouton said: “There’s nothing for the residents here. Nothing at all.

“We’ve got one shop and you can get your hair cut. We need somewhere to get together, for kids and adults.”

Sherburn Hill has been without a community centre since the old one, which villagers say was well used, was closed following a damning health and safety inspection in 2012. It would have needed more than £1 million-worth of improvements to bring it up to scratch.

Plans for a new £1.2 million facility were approved in 2008, but came to nothing.

Ideas have been drawn up for a new centre, which could cost around £1 million.

Durham County Council has committed £400,000 through Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) and the Hub also hopes to secure Lottery support.

The centre would be built off Front Street, close to the children’s play area and where Keepmoat is currently creating a new housing estate to be called The Pastures.

Councillor David Hall said: “The new group has done fantastic work and at the moment are making every effort to meet the new criteria that the Big Lottery have set to enable a successful application for the remaining funds needed to build the new centre.

“It continues to be a marathon and not a sprint but the commitment shown by the volunteers in the group is inspiring. They need the visible and active support of residents, so get in touch with them or come along to the fun event on the 19th to show support, get involved or even just to let them know their efforts for Sherburn Hill are appreciated.”

Hub supporter Jill Dudley said: “The more people the merrier. We need more people on the team to make it work and have a broader range of ideas for moving it all on. We need a Sherburn Hill Hub Needs You campaign.”

Saturday’s (September 19) event runs from 11am to 2.30pm. There will be a climbing wall, bouncy castle, creepy crawlies, fancy dress, a penalty shoot out competition, football match, stalls, raffles, a tombola and a Macmillan book stall, plus music from the Salvation Army band.