PRIME Minister Tony Blair will be the guest of honour at the opening of Trimdon's millennium green.

The green will be unveiled on Friday, at 3pm, with local children at the heart of the celebrations.

The ceremony will start with a procession of children carrying lanterns and large flowers, and wearing masks.

When they arrive at the green, a mushroom-shaped stone sculpture, designed and created by David Edwick, will be unveiled.

The sculpture is made from Kilkenny Limestone and based on the Devil's Stone, a large stone from the village. It will produce sound when struck.

The highlight of the day will be the planting of the millennium oak tree, supplied by East Durham and Houghall Community College, which will be the focus of the newly regenerated green.

Children from St William's RC Primary School, Trimdon Junior School and Trimdon Youth Club have been working with the Cap-a-Pie Theatre Group to make the lanterns, masks and flowers.

Children from the infant school have been recreating the millennium green story in pictures, which will be on display in the village hall on the day of the opening.

A spokeswoman for Groundwork East Durham, one of the supporters of the millennium green project, said: "One thing which has stood out is the way in which the schools have worked together to ensure that as many children as possible get involved.

"Without the help and support of the teachers, this event would not have been possible."