ESTATE residents fulfilled a seven-year dream yesterday when a £500,000 community centre was finally launched.

The Jubilee Fields Estate, in Shildon, had no meeting hall for more than 50 years.

Yesterday, Durham's Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson performed an opening ceremony and praised volunteers' efforts.

He singled out chairman Elsie Race, who got the project going by calling public meetings and organising a committee which pressed for funds to convert the former workingmen's club.

They secured grants from the National Lotteries Charities Board, One NorthEast, Shildon's Single Regeneration Budget, financial institutions, a Church fund and business sponsorship.

Sir Paul said: "This is a wonderful example of people getting together under an inspirational leader and achieving something for the whole community."

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, blessed the centre and children from St John's and Timothy Hackworth Primary Schools sang.

The day was touched with sadness when guests paid silent tribute to three young children and their grandmother who died in a house fire in a nearby street.

A plaque commemorates the lives of brothers Ashley and Stephen Humphrey and their cousin Corey, who died with their grandmother Sheila Humphrey in 1999. The children's mothers, Joanne and Marie Humphrey, gave the centre £800 collected in Shildon after the fire.

Jonathan Blackie, director of strategy for One NorthEast, said: "The opening of the Jubilee Fields Community Centre illustrates what can be achieved when people work together."