VOLUNTEERS put the finishing touches to a charity's new home yesterday.

Northumbrian Water workers gave a make-over to the Heart House Studios, Front Street, Lanchester, County Durham.

The building, a former bookmakers, will be a showcase for charity Real Lives: Real Choices.

The organisation is a new advocacy group that works across County Durham to support the rights of people with learning disabilities.

It holds regular art classes for clients, and the Lanchester centre will feature a gallery, displaying their work.

The premises, due to open next month, will also act as an information shop and a focus for recruiting and training new volunteers.

Stephen Clifford, of Esh Winning, near Lanchester, who works in assets management for Northumbrian Water, led the volunteer team.

"Most of the volunteers are from Lanchester or the surrounding area, so it was a good way for us to put something back in the community," he said.

"We thought this was an excellent idea and worth our support, and Northumbrian Water has been very supportive."

The project was co-ordinated by Durham City and District Volunteer Bureau and Business in the Community.

Rhianne Jones, 24, from the volunteer bureau, said: "We hope another outcome of the day will be that the group gets more volunteers as well as a new studio."

Sue West, 47, of Real Lives: Real Choices, said: "Northumbrian Water have been great. The volunteers have worked really hard and their efforts have attracted a lot of attention from passers-by."

The charity aims to open a second centre, in Langley Park, near Durham, in late July or early August. Anyone interested in volunteer work for the charity can contact Miss Jones on 0191-383 1944.