AFTER more than a century as a teachers' training college, the building which now houses Darlington's Arts Centre was opened in its new role in 1982, and was soon hailed as one of the country's best.

Favourable comparisons were made with London's Barbican Centre, and the Vane Terrace site flourished over the next 19 years, being leased by Darlington Borough Council.

But the building's pre-Arts Centre history is still reflected in its atmosphere, and there is a lot of the schoolroom feel about it.

For 102 years, the building served as the Darlington College of Education, starting with 31 students and building up to about 200.

Its first principal, Fanny Smallbones, was appointed in January 1878, but had to step down when she married William Spafford, the new vice-principal.

By quirk of convention, the college's committee would not allow the new Mrs Spafford to be her husband's boss and gave him her job.

Times have changed, and the building along with it.

Many of the rooms used today had very different purposes and appearances then. Some, including the glass corridor, or "chicken run" as it was known, are instantly recognisable.

The children's centre and theatre were lecture halls, and the Garden Bar is barely recognisable as the former library. Student teachers dined in what is now the ballroom.

During its history, three buildings have been used as student accommodation. One, Blanche Pease House, has continued its role for the Arts Centre, taking in foreign students and travellers.

In the Second World War, the tower which overlooks the front courtyard and still provides a spectacular view, was a look-out post for the Army. For a period of two days during the First World War, it had served as a top secret operations centre.

More intriguing is the unconfirmed ghost which haunts the west wing, known as the Grey Lady.

As the tale goes, one of the teachers "got herself into trouble", which was frowned upon in the training centre's early days. The only way out was suicide.

She reputedly hurled herself from the top of the wing's multi-storey staircase. Cracked tiles on the floor below are said to mark her landing place.

The centre's public relations officer, Chris McIntyre, said: "Nobody can confirm this for me. It has become part of the folklore of the building."

The college closed in 1978 and the opportunity arose for the Darlington Arts Association, set up two years previously, to press for an arts centre.

A 20-year lease was signed by Darlington council with the building's owner, the British and Foreign School Society, and after alterations, the Darlington Arts Centre opened its doors with three weeks of celebration in 1982.

The festivities' programme lists the committee, which featured a host of people still influential in the town, including present borough council leader Councillor John Williams, former mayor Councillor Pat Buttle and the present mayor Councillor Isobel Hartley.

Coun Hartley, who was presented with the centre's keys at a ceremony last week, when the council received the building's lease, was a former student at the college.

Of those who attended the opening festivities, at least two acts, the Richardson Singers and Major Mustard's Travelling Show, are still occasional visitors to the Arts Centre.

The centre continues to attract top quality performers in the fields of serious and light music, comedy and drama, and it is hoped that the purchase of the lease will help it continue to grow as an arts venue.

A council spokeswoman said: "It has always been our ambition to buy the Arts Centre. Buying it gives us long- term security for our bid for Lottery funding, and for improvements to the building.