VILLAGERS who saved their leisure centre from closure are celebrating after getting their hands on the keys to the facility.

Councillor Dennis Morgan, chairman of Durham County Council - which has withdrawn from running the Linden Centre, in Coxhoe, formally handed over its keys to Michael Lavelle, chairman of Future Leisure in Coxhoe (Flic), in a ceremony tonight.

Coun Morgan, who is also a Coxhoe county councillor, said: "As a local member, I’m particularly delighted that the centre will continue providing facilities for people of this area for years to come.

"Flic has been distinguished in finding a way to maintain this facility. We’re signalling tonight that the centre is in business, it continues to be in business and I’m confident that it will prosper."

Flic, a group of volunteers, formed in the hope of saving the Linden Centre after the council announced plans to close it earlier this year.

They have appointed a new centre manager, Melanie Adams, and plan to re-launch the facility under a new name in January.

They hope to: turn the reception into an activities room, create a badminton centre, enhance the gym, run five-a-side football leagues, create a refreshments area, improve the changing rooms, run children’s clubs and extend the opening hours.

The centre will be open to all for bookings. The council has granted Flic a 35-year lease. As a registered charity, it will apply for grant funding. All proceeds will be reinvested in the centre.

Mr Lavelle said: "Today’s the big day. I’m excited and nervous. It’s been a long, hard scenario and there’s been a lot of hard work.

"This is the only leisure centre in the east Durham corridor. It’s vital for health, well-being and social inclusion.

"It happens to be in Coxhoe but it’s for the whole of the east Durham area."

A competition to find a new name for the Linden Centre closes on Thursday, December 15. To enter, email: bright@futureleisureincoxhoe.org.uk Leaders also want to hear residents’ suggestions for new activities.

Under the same cutbacks, Crook and Ferryhill leisure centres have closed, Pity Me’s had its hours cut, Ushaw Moor’s reopened as a gymnastics academy and Sherburn’s is set to reopen under new management.