ADULTS with learning difficulties could soon benefit from a new day service in Chester-le-Street.

Work is due to start on the centre, on the site of the former Clarence Day Nursery in West Lane, and it is hoped to have the scheme up and running by the end of this year.

The Durham County Council-run project will include a music room, IT and computer training facilities and an area for arts and crafts.

Terry Mason, a team manager with County Durham Care, the council's provider of adult services, said: "At the moment adults with learning difficulties have to travel to other parts of the county to use these sorts of facilities.

"Soon they will be on their own doorstep and that will mean their quality of life could significantly improve."

He added that the centre will be available for local organisations to use.