A VILLAGE community centre which has fallen into disrepair could be back in full use by next summer.

The building in Hoddlesden has undergone a £40,000 structural overhaul over the past three months, and it is hoped the inside will be transformed during the coming year.

East Rural Youth and Community Association (ERYCA) received a £25,000 grant from the East Rural Regeneration Board and a £15,000 donation by Vernon Carus for the repair work.

That cash was used to replace beams, fit a new roof and flooring, and ensure the building is structurally safe. Now a further £200,000 is sought to refurbish the interior and make it usable once more.

Dilys Dyer, secretary of ERYCA, said the group had written to local businesses for help, as well as various sources of funding including the Lottery for a heritage grant.

She said: "The community centre belongs to the people of Hoddlesden and became a registered charity in 1985 which made it easier to apply for funds. It did have a youth club originally but it ended up folding.

"We are hoping that once the work has been done, the youth club will be able to start up again. The pre-school group still used the downstairs before work began but the rest had gradually fallen into disrepair.

"We hope after this it will be used by all parts of the community and there will be lots of things going on.

"There's really not a lot for youngsters in Hoddlesden to do which is why they end up hanging around the green and war memorial. They desperately need somewhere to go and are the people whose needs we have to meet the most.

"The £40,000 has nearly covered the repair of the building which was in a sad state of disrepair but we still need a lot more.

"We are going to start a programme of local fundraising including car boot sales and sponsored walks."

The association decided after the donation from Vernon Carus that the centre should be named after the Carus family, who were well-known in Hoddlesden for many years.

Memorabilia from the old factory will also be put on display in the centre, which was originally Hoddlesden Conservative Club.

Students from Bolton Institute have been brought on board to design the layout of the centre.