A FAMILY fun session is to mark the official opening of a village’s new children’s centre this weekend.

The Sure Start centre in Front Street, Kelloe, near Durham City, will be officially unveiled on Saturday.

From 10am to 1pm, there will be a fun session including face painting, smoothie making, music, craft and story sessions for children and entertainment from magician Ian Lowe.

The official opening ceremony will be performed at 11.45am by Coun Dennis Morgan, Coun Maria Plews and Roberta Blackman-Woods MP.

Tracy Edwards-Grey, Sure Start County Durham’s cluster manager for Durham area, said: "We’re looking forward to the official opening of Kelloe Children’s Centre as an opportunity to welcome local people.

"Our aim is to give children under five years old the best quality start in life and to give support to parents and carers.

"We’ll be working with a range of organisations in order to achieve this and I’m certain that we’ll soon be a thriving addition to the Kelloe community.

"I’d encourage families in the area to come along on Saturday to find out what’s on offer."

Coun Claire Vasey, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: "I am delighted that we have yet another Sure Start Children’s Centre opening in County Durham, bringing the total in the Durham area to five.

"The positive impact of the great work carried out in the centres benefits not only the children but also their families and their communities."