A volunteer-run charity is seeking a new replacement contractor to finish its community hub building project in Midlothian.

The Gorebridge Community Development Trust has removed T & A Kernoghan following a number of serious delays with the project.

The Trust said the community hub building in Hunterfield Road should have opened in June.

Instead, the complex is halfway complete and the Trust is now looking for a contractor on a short term basis to make the building wind and watertight.

The Trust's chair, Gail Halvorsen, said: "We've taken this step, after legal and other professional advice as the best way to move the project forward and get the building finished and open as soon as we can.

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"The last few months have been extremely frustrating for the Trust and people in Gorebridge who will have seen the lack of progress first hand .

"We're working closely with our funders to get a replacement contractor in place as quickly as possible."

The project is funded by a mixture of grants and loans from Midlothian Council, the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Investment Fund managed by Social Investment Scotland.

Approximately half of the work has been completed and paid for.

The site is now protected by 24 hour security augmented CCTV cameras and special arrangements will be made to ensure 'appropriate' and 'respectful' access to the village's World War One memorial for the commemorations in November.

In addition, South Ayrshire Council took the decision to remove T & A Kernoghan from a £1.5m golf clubhouse project due to various delays last month.

(LM)