A CENTRE has been built to give people with learning disabilities short breaks.

Durham County Council has spent £1m developing the modern complex at Hawthorn House, Newton Hall, to replace the council's former respite care centre, in nearby Pity Me.

The building has been designed and built to the latest specification, to meet the Commission for Social Care Inspection's standards, and is energy-efficient.

It provides short-break respite services for up to eight people.

The centre, which can cater for people with complex needs, recently welcomed its first guests and is to be officially opened later this month.

Four of the bedrooms have overhead tracking that allows guests with severe physical disabilities to be hoisted directly into an en-suite bathroom. All of the bedrooms are en-suite and also have televisions and DVD players.

There is a sensory therapy room and a separate two-bedded emergency unit where clients can stay for up to 72 hours.

There is also overnight accommodation for staff, as the centre provides a 24-hour service.

Councillor Morris Nicholl, county council cabinet member for adult and community services, said that the centre "represents Durham County Council's commitment to the provision of high-quality services for people with learning disabilities, in a building that is very much part of the community.

"The centre is a credit to all those involved in the project."

Linda Turnbull, the centre's support manager, said: "We had a clear vision of what we wanted the centre to be, and the emphasis was very much on the idea of a high-quality living environment, similar to hotel standards."

The centre supports about 100 adults from the Durham, Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, and Easington areas.

The service is funded by the council, but guests have to pay a contribution towards the cost of the service.

Council staff worked with Niven Architects, of Darlington, who designed the building.

Ms Turnbull said she enjoyed being involved with the building's design, adding: "Now we have a fabulous centre that feels like a hotel, but meets the needs of our clients and their families."