WORK will begin next spring on a centre designed to improve the quality of life in a North-East city.

The £8.3m multi-purpose centre will be built in the Downhill area of Sunderland.

City councillors say it will set new standards nationally on how services are delivered within the community.

Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Bob Symonds said: "People will be able to do everything from visiting their GP and getting a prescription, to borrowing a library book, finding a home, joining a course or paying their council tax.

"The centre is a cornerstone in the city's ground-breaking People First programme, which is changing the way the council and its partners within health, welfare and housing deliver their services."

The location was chosen to help address the problems of illness and deprivation identified in the area and meet the need of local people.

Construction work on the centre is scheduled to begin in March with completion expected the following spring.

Dave Flootwood, from the council, said: "We are delighted to award this contract to a locally-based company, Clugston's, and look forward to parts of the centre being opened to members of the public by Christmas next year."

Services already lined up for the First Stop Centre include a customer service centre for a range of council services, a NHS primary care centre, a Wellness Centre, an adult and community learning centre, library, and 20-place neighbourhoods nursery.