COMMUNITY facilities in Sedgefield are to receive a boost after councillors approved more then £100,000 in funding.

The money, from Sedgefield Borough Council's Local Improvement Programme (LIP), will be spent on community centres in Woodham and Middridge villages.

The Middridge project involves the refurbishment and modernisation of Middridge village hall.

At present, it is in such a poor state of repair, with leaking roof, rising damp, delapidated heating, electrical and lighting systems, that some community groups have stopped using it.

LIP funding of £76,485 has been approved, 93 per cent of a total cost of £82,485, which will be used to re-roof the building, tackle dampness and fit a central heating and hot water system.

Woodham Village Community Centre has also been awarded £25,200 from the LIP fund towards its £39,700 revamp.

The remainder of the funding will come from Woodham Village Community Association.

The centre was built in 1985 and, although essential maintenance has been kept up to date, it still needs modernising.

Sedgefield borough Councillor Kester Noble said: "The aim of the project is to completely refurbish and modernise the village community centre, which would provide up-to-date flooring, lighting, more useable meeting rooms and kitchen.

"It would then enable the community centre to provide a range of new education and skills training courses and more varied casual physical activities."

Many of the planned activities will target young and unemployed people, providing them with a range of training courses.

In anticipation of the refurbishment taking place, the community association has approached Durham County Council's Education in the Community to expand its Adult Community Learning Programme.

A grant of £6,500 has been awarded to provide ten laptops, a printer and internet connection within the centre to support the increased range of courses and educational opportunities.