A £2.5m BUSINESS centre was officially opened in Peterlee yesterday.

The Novus Business Centre, Judson Road, in North-West Industrial Estate, has a range of business facilities for 31 offices.

The centre's manager, Sarah Slaven, said she hoped it would generate about 100 jobs for people from east Durham.

She said 21 people were already working there in firms that operate a variety of services, from web design to a recruitment consultancy.

Mrs Slaven said: "It is really important, because we didn't have anything like this that offered modern office facilities before.

"We are trying to diversify the economy of the area and we want to attract a broader range of businesses."

Margaret Fay, chairwoman of regional development agency One NorthEast, marked the occasion by releasing 2,000 balloons.

She said the centre was ideal for people who were thinking about starting out in business on their own, or who have a small firm.

Mrs Fay added: "This is a really, really modern facility, which benefits from small units, ideal for people who no longer want to operate their business from a spare room or garage.

"We hope it will attract optimistic people who will use the facility as a starting point to help their business grow."