to rebuild

THE bill for the Halloween night blaze at Stockton Heath's Sandy Lane centre could total £120,000.

Town Hall bosses this week revealed costs to restore the damaged building following the fire. While the work is carried out it will mean community groups have no permanent base for several months.

Damage to the community centre is extensive.

Although from the outside damage appears to be not too serious, the centre has sustained structural damage. There are problems with the building's services while a new floor, and re-wiring and decorating work is required.

Cheshire Fire Service says the cause of the fire is under investigation but the possibility of it being started deliberately could not be ruled out.

Groups which rely on the hall have been kept in the dark over its reopening. Clr Alf Pester said: "We've not been told anything by the borough council. Many people have been inconvenienced so the work needs to be done as soon as possible."

A council spokesman said: "We have carried out the necessary work to make sure the building is safe and secure. An insurance claim is being pursued and the correct procedure needs to be followed."

The spokesman could not confirm when community groups could return to the centre, but added: "We are pushing things through as quickly as we can."

Many groups use the Sandy Lane Centre including elderly and day care groups, a luncheon club, bridge groups and watercolour classes. A council spokesman said that they had all been relocated.

Stockton Heath Parish Council is holding its monthly meetings at different locations in the village.

This Tuesday the meeting will be in the Methodist church hall on Walton Road.