A FORMER librarian is the new voice representing the interests of residents on a Durham housing estate enjoying a revival in community spirit.

Christine Wood is app-ealing to local people to help her feel at home at the new flagship community centre, which will be her base from the autumn.

She has just been appointed to run the £600,000 community centre serving the Sherburn Road Estate.

The post was created by the Sherburn Road Regeneration Initiative, to ensure the new purpose-built community building in Haig Crescent meets the needs expressed by local residents.

And she can't wait to make the move when the centre is finished in October.

Christine said she has already been made to feel part of the community and is relishing her work maintaining the revival of the estate, begun three years ago when the multi-agency backed regeneration scheme got off the ground.

"There's a terrific atm-osphere here, with residents and all kinds of organisations united in working to improve the quality of life for everyone on the estate. You can just feel it as you walk around.

"This is a dream job for me, in fact, I'm incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity of being part of a team which has changed the face of Sherburn Road.

"A lot of hard work and enthusiasm has gone into the planning of the centre, and when it opens it will be second to none."

The centre will feature a fitness centre, a launderette, a residents-run caf, an information technology area and a creche.

"The whole building is warm and welcoming, beautifully designed and it will be great for residents to call their own. It's a real asset for the estate."

But Christine has made an appeal for people to help add a dash of colour and vegetation to the centre by donating unwanted plants, particularly rubber plants, parlour palms, yukka or ficus trees.

"We've already been presented with one 14ft rubber plant which had outgrown its old home, but we are interested in taking any other plants which people may no longer be able to, or want, to keep at home."

Anyone with an un-wanted plant should contact Christine on (0191) 384 9572