A DERELICT building which has been transformed into a £1m arts and health centre will be officially opened tomorrow.

The former Co-op buildings in Dipton, near Stanley, will be re-born as The Store, a healthy living centre which will also house the Cap-a-Pie theatre company.

It marks the end of a five-year project to build a new centre for young people in Derwentside. Funding for the scheme came from the New Opportunities Fund.

Julie Dixon, Cap-a-Pie manager, said: "Theatre Cap-a-Pie and the consortium members will play an important role in the culture and regeneration of Derwentside.

"The new healthy living centre will provide advice, information and support for young people in the Derwentside area.

"The Store in Dipton will offer a range of excellent activities, using art, dance, drama and music to involve young people and find out what their needs are."

Along with the theatre group, the partnership involves Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT), Derwent-side District Council, Durham Rural Community Council, Groundwork West Durham, the North-East Council on Addictions, and Single Homeless Action in Derwentside.

The Store will provide space for rehearsing and performance, with a theatre, dressing room, dance studio and classroom, along with Cap-a-Pie's offices.

The building also houses a complementary therapy practice and a support service, managed by Derwentside PCT's specialist health promotion service.

The PCT will also run a healthy options community caf, known as The Kitchen. North-West Durham MP Hil-ary Armstrong will declare the building open at 1pm tomorrow.

The centre will then be opened to the public for a series of free taster sessions, including an inflatable art workshop, Indian head massage and reflexology.

There will be performances from Cap-a-Pie Youth Theatre and Dipton Collierley School and a draw for a bike, courtesy of Mo-Tech in Consett.

An exhibition of photographs by Alex Telfer documenting the transformation of the building will be on display.

Ms Dixon said: "I am looking forward to the opening of this project and hope it will be a huge success and that local people will enjoy it.

"All the events will give local people the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun."