A CENTRE helping people to recover from mental illness has celebrated its tenth birthday.

The St Margaret's Centre, on Marjery Lane, Durham, is the idea of Father Ian Hoskins, now a parish priest in Newcastle, and Durham businessman John Ayton.

When he was based in Durham, Father Hoskins established a steering group which worked for two years to raise funds for the centre and appointed a manager, Ken Garbett, who is still in the post.

Since opening its doors in April 1992, the centre has provided tuition in arts and crafts and skills such as joinery, furniture restoration, candle making, catering, computing, printing and gardening. It now sees up to 30 people recovering from mental illness a day, and has a waiting list.

The centre is an ecumenical venture involving six Durham churches and is largely funded by Durham social services, with extra cash coming from donations and the sale of products.

To mark its tenth anniversary, guests including the Mayor and Bishop of Durham, former Bishop David Jenkins, local MP Gerry Steinberg, and staff and volunteers past and present gathered for a celebration last Friday.

Mr Garbett said: "Given the struggle to get the project established, it is a marvellous achievement to have come through ten years.

"In that time the centre has grown - it is now at full capacity - and its range of activities has broadened.

"I have been helped by a marvellous staff group, the trustees, and numerous organisations and individuals from the local community."

Tony Walker, chairperson of the centre's management committee, said: "People who experience mental health difficulties are not generally the first in the queue for Government help.

"There are very few projects like this in Britain. Durham can rightly be proud of St Margaret's Centre."