CELEBRATIONS take place tomorrow to mark the successful regeneration of Skerne Park estate in Darlington.

Highlights of the day will include the official openings of the UK Online Centre - by Darlington MP Alan Milburn - Skerne Park Toy Library and the Skerne Park Tool Library.

Other events include a Skerne Park Football Club game, a performance by the Skerne Park Drumming Project and a visit by Charlie the Magician.

The Skerne Park Partnership was set up in 1995 to work with residents and organisations to improve the quality of life on the estate, tackling issues such as crime, debt, unemployment, poor educational achievement and high levels of empty housing.

The partnership made a successful bid for £3.5m from the Single Regeneration Budget to deliver projects over five years from 1997 to 2002. With additional funding from public, private and voluntary sectors, a total of £10.5m has been made available over the last five years to regenerate the estate and to provide opportunities for residents to make their area better.

Many positive results have followed. Nearly 250 houses have been refurbished and the average number of council houses standing empty has reduced from 20 a month to zero.

Borough council leader John Williams said: "The members of the Skerne Park Partnership are a working and a shining example of what can be achieved."

TOMORROW'S Programme. Skerne Park Primary School, Ribble Drive: 9.45-10.15am Skerne Park Football Club Game; 10.40-11am Drumming Project; 11-11.30am launch of celebration day and launch of UK Online Centre; 11.30am-noon refreshments; 2-3pm fire brigade display and crime prevention caravan.

Childcare Centre: 12.30-2pm Opening of Skerne Park Toy Library with Charlie the Magician and a balloon launch. Neighbourhood House; 3pm opening of Skerne Park Tool Library with Ruth Thompson of Transco.The Chatterbox Cafe: 3.15pm refreshments