A music facility has opened in the North-East aimed at giving the region's musicians the chance to shine.

The Forum is the brainchild of David Cox, a businessman passionate about music but frustrated by the lack of facilities for people in the region.

The father-of-three has spent £400,000 transforming a derelict council music school into a centre which will provide budding musicians with the space to rehearse, record and perform, as well as a venue for music lovers to see bands play.

The centre, in Borough Road, Darlington, will also provide training for those who want to become sound engineers and lighting specialists.

From the outside, the former music school has retained its Victorian features, but inside it opens into a large cafe bar where artists can perform or relax.

Alongside this room there is a live lounge, which doubles as a studio, big enough to accommodate a symphony orchestra, with enough room for a 170-strong audience.

There are also four rehearsal rooms, where groups can practise, and have mini-gigs using the centre's instruments and equipment, for £5 an hour. There are three recording studios and a mix down suite which can be hired by the hour.

There are also plans to open the Northern School of Contemporary Music at the centre, staffed by professionals who will give workshops in contemporary music for everyone from beginners to those who want a refresher course.

Mr Cox, 43, said: "The idea is really to bring people with a passion for music together and provide somewhere they can develop, because at the moment there is nowhere for people in this area to go.

"We want it to be accessible to all, for all types of music, from classical, to jazz, folk, country, absolutely everything.

"People are dying for something like this. We have around 200 members already and about 800 others who have registered an interest, of all ages and abilities, and we have only been open a week."

The centre is for members only, with social members charged £25 a year and £95 for adult musicians, or £85 for youths.

It is open from 10am to midnight every day. For more details, contact The Forum on (01325) 363135 or log on to www.theforumonline.co.uk.

Published: 08/06/2004