THE way in which victims of sex crimes are treated is expected to be transformed, following the opening of a purpose-built rape crisis centre in the region.

Vera Baird, the Government's Solicitor General and MP for Redcar, east Cleveland, described the facility in Middlesbrough as a "Rolls Royce model" when she took part in the opening cerem-ony yesterday.

The new Helen Britton House, in the North Ormesby Health Village, will change the way in which vulnerable men and women can receive care, support and counselling.

Mrs Baird said: "With many others, I have been pressing for a number of years for the development of just this kind of centre.

"It is vital that victims of traumatic crimes such as rape and other sexual assaults know that there is somewhere they can go where they will receive the best possible expert medical care and counselling - and where their dignity and privacy will be totally respected.

"With the best will in the world, the kind of facilities which have existed in the past, based within police stations, have not necessarily provided that kind of supportive environment.

"I am pleased that the police and the health service have worked so closely together to come up with a purpose-built centre of this kind."

Named after a tireless worker, Helen Britton House is a partnership project between Cleveland Police Authority, Teesside's four primary care trusts, voluntary sector partners EVA and the Women's Support Network.

Mrs Britton, who died last year, aged 40, was a volunteer working for a number of women's support organisations on Teesside. Assault victims have paid tribute to the way she helped them put their lives back together.

Her widower, Jason, joined Mrs Baird and Pam Andrews-Mawer, chairwoman of Cleveland Police Authority's community protection panel, at the ceremony.

Ms Andrews-Mawer said: "I hope that it will encourage all those who suffer sexual violence - male or female and from every section of the community - to come forward, knowing there is a one-stop service where they can go for help.

"Hopefully, it will also provide more victims with the confidence which can help to catch offenders and bring them before the courts."

Detective Superintendent Gordon Lang, who has been closely involved in the development of the centre, said: "Helen Britton House represents a huge step forward in terms of the care offered to the survivors of rape and sexual assault."