A NEW landmark that will transform part of the centre of Durham City is steadily taking shape.

Structural work on the hall that will form the centrepiece of the £29m Millennium City development is complete.

Yesterday, the final concrete on the upper floor was poured by city council leader Maurice Crathorne and Peter Durey, operations manager for contractors Carillion Building.

The 30m tall building will house a 550-seat theatre and conference centre.

There will also be a visitor centre - featuring a large format film of Durham's history - new tourist information centre, crafts workshops, business advice centre and meeting rooms for voluntary groups.

Work is due to be completed late next year and the entire complex should open early in 2002.

Funding for the Durham City Council scheme has come from the Millennium Commission, European Regional Development Fund and English Partnerships.

The complex will create about 150 permanent jobs and about 300 people are working on its construction.

The city council believes the development will boost the city's tourist and conference business, as well as providing facilities for people in and around Durham.

Economic development director John Jennings said that the council was already getting inquiries from international conference organisers.

The playwright Alan Ayckbourn has also expressed an interest. "He has an interest in a theatre at Scarborough," said Mr Jennings."

"We would be looking to team up with other regional theatres to put on quality productions - possibly on pre-West End runs."

Ellen Dempster, the Millennium Commission's project manager, said: "It is really exciting to see inside the auditorium."