A VILLAGE will launch its new community cafe with a fun day.

The community centre at Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, will be the venue for the event on Tuesday (September 2) between 1pm and 3pm.

The community cafe will open on Mondays and Thursdays at Nettlesworth Community Centre from 8.45am until 2pm.

Fun day activities will include face painting, hanging basket-making sessions, an inflatable dome and youngsters will be able to get their photograph taken with mascots.

Cestria Community Housing, the area’s biggest social landlord, and the charity Mencap will have stalls at the event.

The cafe is being run by the Kimblesworth and Nettlesworth Community Task Force.

It will serve tea, coffee, scones, sandwiches, rolls, soup, cakes and paninis.

A spokesman said: “It is hoped the café will serve as a local point of access for bodies such as Durham Foodbank, Prince Bishop’s Credit Union, Citizens’ Advice and Cestria Community Husing.

“If the venture proves successful, these opening hours will be extended in due course.

“Kimblesworth and Nettlesworth Community Task Force is a group of committed local volunteers.

“Its main aim is to provide local support to those in need during this ‘age of austerity’. The group’s central objective has been to set up The community café as a base for outside groups and organizations to provide support, particularly, though not exclusively, for vulnerable local people.

“ The Task Force is currently in the process of applying for charitable status. “

Initial funding for the venture has come from Cestria Community Housing, the neighbourhood budgets of local county councillors and from Kimblesworth and Plawsworth Parish Council.