RESIDENTS are being urged to back a campaign to save their community centre from closure.

Durham County Council has rejected a bid from a local group to takeover the running of the centre Annfield Plain, near Stanley.

The council is withdrawing its funding of several centres but is offering locals the chance to run them provided they meet the council’s criteria.

The group formed at Annfield Plain applied but was turned down.

It has now produced a newsletter that is being delivered to 2,000 homes in the area explaining the situation and seeking the backing of local people.

Group secretary Hugh Embleton said the group had to act quickly because as things stood the centre was due to close on December 19.

“We need the backing of local people, obviously.

“We have had some help from former councillors and people in the know. We have quite a few irons in the fire.”

The group says the centre is now well-used and could pay its way.

“We are in the black at present. We have enough income coming through the door to run the building,” said Mr Embleton.

The transfer would have included a council grant of £170,000 towards building repairs.

Mr Embleton said some people thought the site could be worth more to the council as housing land.

The council has said that it could not agree to transfer the community centre to the group because there was “insufficient evidence’’ that the necessary funding was in place.