A COMMUNITY hall which was built after the previous one was destroyed by fire has been officially opened .

St John's Hall, in Meadowfield, near Durham, is back in use for the first time since 2012, when it had to close because its heating system was condemned.

The hall, which was officially opened on Saturday, was finished this year after being completely rebuilt following a fire in 2014.

The Northern Echo:

Mayor of Durham Katie Corrigan and Lesley Baxter

Father Carl Peters said: "The hall has been open for the last few months and it's starting to get its busyness back and is part of the community.

"It's special to come together for the official opening as we look forward to the future."

The building was reopened by Mayor of Durham Katie Corrigan and a family fun day was held in celebration.

Featuring a large hall, kitchen and meeting rooms, the new building has been designed to be dementia friendly, with colourful flooring, yellow signage and there are plans for a sensory garden.

It also has a community wall, where people can put plaques up.

Jan and Tom Shoulder came up with the idea as a way to keep fundraising for the upkeep of the hall.

Mrs Shoulder said: "I thought it would be a nice way to raise money.

"People can put up plaques for loved ones but it's not just for people who have died. As long as the building is standing, they will be here so hopefully they will be here in 200 years.

"It's going to tell a story."

The Northern Echo:

Jan and Tom Shoulder, who are organising the community wall

Lesley Baxter, who has been working tirelessly to raise funds for the hall, helped cut the ribbon to open it.

She said: "It's nice to see people using it now. It's getting good footfall."

The £670,000 project was supported by funders, including Mid Durham Area Action Partnership, local councillors John Turnbull and Paul Taylor and a fundraising committee who raised thousands of pounds through events including rock nights and afternoon teas.