A DALES community group has promised the public that a planned heritage centre will still open, despite last-minute problems with funding.

The Meet the Middletons' heritage centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, was due to open at Easter, but it has been hit by delays after a potential funder backed out.

Members of Middleton Plus, a community group that promotes Upper Teesdale, has sought funding for the project and has said it is looking at a National Lottery grant to replace the lost revenue.

The community group is hoping the heritage centre will attract up to 30,000 visitors a year