The Labour councillors used the fund to pay for elections and training development for councillors and to support local campaigns.

But when Blyth Valley Borough Council was abolished on March 31, the group decided to donate £500 to the Save Seaton Delaval Hall appeal.

They said the donation was a logical decision as members have shown total commitment to the appeal since it was launched.

And Blyth Valley Labour councillors have been actively involved in the local fundraising activities and encouraged the active involvement of the council in the campaign through allocating staff time to the project and a £100,000 donation from the borough council.

Labour members, along with Ronnie Campbell MP, have also instigated various fundraising events within the local party and made a donation of £500.00 from the Blyth Valley Constituency Labour Party.

Susan Dungworth said: "As Labour councillors, we are active in the community and are well aware how important the future of Seaton Delaval Hall is to local people and groups.

"A publicly owned hall can only bring benefits to the whole of South East Northumberland and to the Seaton Valley area in particular.

"Improved access to the hall and grounds will enhance the quality of life for local people and visitors to the hall will bring increased prosperity to the surrounding villages.

"We are particularly excited about the possibilities of improving the cycle network between the local heritage sites such as the New Hartley Memorial Park, commemorating the pit disaster of 1862, the harbour and bottle works in Seaton Sluice and the wider industrial heritage.