From quilting to wrestling and bingo to ballet, North Walsham Community Centre is home to 57 varieties of clubs, organisations and activities and is celebrating its 40th birthday today.

And the New Road venue, which has a licensed bar, will be in party mood this weekend with music and dance events, plus tea and coffee drop-in sessions.

Built after a major public fund-raising drive, the centre was officially opened on October 13 1971 by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Sir Edmund Bacon.

Continuing economic gloom, plus last month's opening of the new Atrium community building at nearby North Walsham High School, mean that the centre is facing tough challenges but chairman Rodney Dawson said they had held their prices for the past two years and were still making a small profit which he thought was 'pretty good going' in the current climate.

Everyone is invited to call in and visit between 10am and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, when refreshments will be available.

Friday night, October 14, sees the first late summer Live Aid event at the centre, from 8pm to 1am, featuring five bands. Tickets cost �5 and proceeds will go to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's Cots for Tots appeal.

And on Saturday, October 15, celebrations continue with music from the 1960s and country featuring Kenny Lee and Hustler, from 8.20pm to midnight. Tickets �6. For more information ring 01692 403594.