MIDDLESBROUGH'S speaker councillor Ken Hall visited a "priceless community" project yesterday.

Councillor Hall relaunched the Pavilion Project, which provides a safe and friendly environment for sports, play and arts activities for the under 14s in North Ormesby.

Run by Middlesbrough Council and a volunteer management committee, the project has its own pre-school playgroup, a breakfast and after-school club and runs a summer playscheme.

The speaker joined children and volunteers at the centre to tour some of the new facilities at the Pavilion.

These include new outdoor play areas, a garden, a children's lounge and an information technology suite.

Finance for the improvements has come from the New Opportunities Fund and the Children's Fund.

Councillor Hall said: "I am very pleased to be celebrating with the Pavilion Project all the successes which have been achieved over the last few years."

On Tuesday, youngsters from North Ormesby, St Alphonsus and Priory Woods schools took part in outdoor play sessions at the pavilion.