Deal saves Roseberry Golf Club in Chester-le-Street
An under-threat council golf club in County Durham is to be saved after a deal to let members run the site.
Over the past four years there has been a decline in usage at the loss-making Roseberry Grange Golf Course in Chester-le-Street.
The authority began a consultation exercise amid budget cuts requiring savings of £125m over four years.
But now council bosses have struck a deal with members which will see them take over the running of the club.
The council's head of sport and leisure, Steve Howell, said: "We have worked closely with the club's former committee members to negotiate the future ownership of Roseberry.
"Now that agreement has been reached about the transfer of the five council staff employed at the course, ownership could change hands by the middle of next month.
Club chairman Clive Rutter added: "All the committee of the new Roseberry Grange Community Golf Club, which will be run on a voluntary basis, are very pleased that the negotiations with the council are drawing to a successful conclusion.
"We are looking forward to running the club as a community resource and continuing to provide golfing facilities."