STAFF from a Newport bank picked up their paintbrushes and got stuck in to redecorating a Maindee community centre yesterday (Wednesday).

Dave Neale, a personal banker at Santander Bank on Commercial Street said he and his colleagues Katilea Hancock, Kate Davies and Sarah Broadhead were lending a helping hand at Community House on Eton Road as part of a nationwide Santander scheme to get employees involved with their local area.

"We're painting the whole of the main hall, white and bright orange," said Mr Neale. "Hopefully we'll come back every couple of months to see where we can help out. We're also looking into a £250 donation to help cover the cost of paint."

Ingrid Wilson, one of the trustees at Community House, which is built on the site of a former Presbyterian church, said the building is used by around 24 groups including Flying Start playgroups meeting five days a week, a lunch club run by TLC, the Newport branch of the mental health charity Mind as well as English classes and men's and women's Asian groups.

On September 20 the centre will host its annual peace day.