A NEWLY-REFURBISHED market will open today - marking another milestone in a project to transform a town centre.

Market traders in Chester-le-Street have been operating from a temporary site in the Foundry Lane car park, since October last year when work started on the £1.7m town centre revamp.

Today, they will move back as the town prepares for the official opening of the Civic Heart scheme next Saturday, including the open air market - the second largest of its kind between Leeds and Edinburgh.

The work included the construction of an arch, a major public work of art, which is the focal point of the Civic Heart scheme. The space will also be used for community events and activities.

The refurbished market place has 100 permanent stalls and 50 self-erecting stalls.

Traditional markets will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays and the second-hand goods market will be held on Saturdays.

It is hoped the market will attract new events and traders, including French markets and farmers' markets. Chester-le-Street District Council's market officer will be based on site.

Councillor Chris Jukes, regeneration and strategic planning portfolio holder, said: "The refurbishment works at the market place will greatly enhance the town centre.

"This will obviously benefit local people, in particular local market traders and businesses.

"Our regeneration efforts in the town centre will boost the town's appeal and attractiveness, and I am sure every visitor will, from this weekend onwards, have a positive experience. We are looking at further facilities for shoppers, traders and visitors."

The main backer of the scheme overseen by the County Durham Economic Partnership was regional development agency One NorthEast. Other funders were the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Countryside Agency and the Arts Council of England.