A FORMER Salvation Army hall has been transformed into an activities centre for families.

The old hall in Eldon, near Bishop Auckland, officially opened as a Sure Start Centre for the Dene Valley villages.

Local families have worked with staff to devise a programme of activities which has already started, including a health drop-in group on Wednesday mornings.

A toddler group, art and craft sessions, a cookery programme and other activities are being developed.

Sure Start Wear Valley East, which covers Willington, Wheatbottom, Helmington Row, Coundon and Coundon Grange, is one of two programmes running in the district and one of 14 in County Durham.

"This centre is the first of four which we are planning across our area," said programme manager Fiona Callaghan.

"It gives parents a venue to access general and specialist services for their children and for themselves on their doorstep. We have worked closely with parents and Dene Valley Community Partnership,"

For information on Sure Start Wear Valley East telephone (01388) 746740.