A tool library was opened on the Red Hall estate in Darlington by MP Alan Milburn yesterday.

The library is based at the Housing Estates Office in Epsom Court and will enable residents to borrow tools, including carpet cleaners, electric drills, sanders, strimmers, spades, rakes and wallpaper steamers, for a £1 lifetime membership fee.

The project has been funded by the Single Programme Grant Scheme, Local Agenda 21, Shell Better Britain and Morrison Enterprise Trust.

Red Hall Partnership has organised the library taking a similar scheme on Skerne Park as its inspiration.

A part-time member of staff will be employed to run the tool library, which will be open on Friday and Monday afternoons.

Mr Milburn said: "Very often people might want to look after their gardens and home but can't afford the equipment they need, but now they can. This will benefit everybody on this estate."

Mr Milburn was also due to open a play area on the estate, but unfortunately this had to be delayed.

Work on the area has yet to be completed and there has been some minor vandalism this week.

Members of the Red Hall Partnership are hoping the £62,000 area will be open in time for the half-term holiday.

Mr Milburn said: "The play area is really, really important to the community of Red Hall and I am sure the community will not let the actions of a few spoil something so good, which the children have been asking for, for so long."

Once the area has been completed the partnership will consider what can be done for the estate's older residents.