PLANS to replace a community church hall that was destroyed by fire have gone on show.

Designs for the £500,000 replacement for St John’s Church hall, in Meadowfield, near Durham, went on display at the church over the weekend.

The original was ruined in a suspected arson attack last March.

Lesley Baxter, treasurer of the Parochial Church Council, said: “The event on Saturday went really well and we had about 40 people through the doors, got lots of interest and ideas. There were also people from out of the area.”

The favoured design option includes a modern, single-storey building, including a large hall, kitchen, office and disabled toilet.

Ms Baxter said: “The one storey building was definitely the preferred building with the parking at the front.

“The plans are going to be shown at various residents groups to get more opinions.”

Another meeting of the Parochial Church Council and local councillors will be held to decide on the colour of the bricks, cladding and paths.

Ms Baxter said: “Then we can arrange a pre-planning assessment with Durham County Council before starting on the site investigations and tree survey.

“Once this is all completed the full planning permission will be handed to DCC by Brandon Parish Council.”

Of the money needed, about £316,000 will come from the insurance payout, £18,500 has been pledged in grants, including £500 from the Catherine Cookson Trust, and the community has raised around £4,000; leaving about £160,000 still to find.

Further grant applications are planned, plus more community fundraising, including a lottery funding bid.

The next fundraising event is at Meadowfield Sports Centre at on Saturday, February 21 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

There will be a free children's entertainer and bouncy castle as well as stalls, refreshments, face-painting, glitter tattoos, hook a duck, tombola and raffle.