THERE was no Nick Knowles and no television crew but community centre users were delighted with the results of its DIY SOS-style revamp.

Coundon and Leeholme Community Centre beat a host of worthwhile causes to secure the services of JDP Contracting Services, in Newton Aycliffe, for the day.

Today (Friday, June 6) a 20-strong team of JDP tradesmen and community volunteers installed a new kitchen, donated by Jewson builders’ merchants in Bishop Auckland, painted side rooms, clad the toilet walls and spruced up the paths and grounds outside.

JDP ran the community challenge in a similar way to the BBC One series DIY SOS, which sees presenter Nick Knowles and an army of tradesman and volunteers revamp a home or facility.

Helen Hart, a committee member at the hall and volunteer, said: “It is fantastic what they have done, just to tidy it up and update the facilities makes it look and feel better.

“It is a well used centre so a lot of people will appreciate it and benefit from the improvements, particularly the kitchen.”

Last year the community centre, also known as the Welfare Hall, was hit by Durham County Council cutbacks so the management committee took over and an asset transfer is underway.

More than £120,000 in grants has been secured for maintenance work but the money would not cover redecoration and kitchen upgrades.