CHILDREN have been having fun all summer at a free camp run by volunteers at a community centre.

The children, who are all aged between five and 12, are all from the Sherburn Road estate and took part in daily activities at the Pelaw View Centre, in Hilda Avenue.

Between 20 and 28 children took part in the camp every day, which was run by volunteer Karen Fearon and youth workers Jamie Bamsey and Steven Monaghan.

As well as taking part in different activities each day, the children were given a free two-course meal, which was freshly prepared with food donated by the nearby Tesco Extra.

Ms Fearon, who is chair of the Pelaw View Community Group, said: “It’s the first time it’s been done in Durham and it’s been wonderful. When you’ve got kids coming and giving you a hug when they see you at the supermarket and asking if it’s going to be on the next day, you know you’re doing something right.

“They’ve been asking if it’s going to be on next year.”

She added: “The ladies have been coming along as well with their toddlers which gets them out of the house. It’s a real community in here.”

The six-week scheme was a pilot project, and went ahead thanks to funding from the Durham Area Action Partnership and funding from Belmont county councillor’s local neighbourhood funds.