A COMMUNITY has come together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their youth centre.

More than 200 people from the Woodhouse Close community enjoyed a free fun day organised by Auckland Youth and Community Centre in Bishop Auckland.

A bouncy castle, climbing wall, face painting and tombola were some of the activities on offer at the centre, which first opened its doors in 1964.

Bill Niblo, chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “A lot of local people don’t go on holiday or take children to activity events because they don’t have the money to do so, so we felt it was important that everything was free today and it’s really made a difference to the local people.

“Everyone seems to have enjoyed it and I would say it has absolutely been a success. It's been really interesting listening to the people who have lived on the estate for many years who remember the early years.

“The fact that the centre is still going today means we are doing something right. We hope it’s still going in another fifty years.”