A DERELICT city centre building has been given a makeover for use by a range of community groups.

Antioch House, in Crossgate, Durham, developed by nearby St Margaret's Church, will be dedicated and formally opened this week.

The former Rector of St Margaret's, the Reverend David Glover, will return to lead a short evening service before the opening ceremony, on Friday, at 6.45pm.

He was a driving force behind the project, prior to his departure for Holy Trinity Church, in Washington, last September.

His great hope was for the building, long considered an eyesore, to provide a focal point for various community organisations, to host a vibrant mix of activities, from children's play groups and music therapy sessions, to small conferences and a lunch-time cafe.

Mr Glover, who worked for two years with planning authorities to come up with acceptable proposals, said: "It is never a good thing for churches just to carry on with private activities to the neglect of the community where they are located.

"We are delighted to be offering this building as a centre for many kinds of events and a meeting place for many different groups, by no means all religious."

There has already been interest from many educational, leisure and social service providers, keen to use the building.

And, it has already staged a pilot art exhibition, featuring the work of a dozen local artists.

Antioch House stands opposite St Margaret's Church and is named after the patron saint of the church, Margaret of Antioch, an early Christian martyr.

The two buildings are located near the junctions of South Street, North Road, and Crossgate, just off one of Durham's busiest commercial streets.

Durham's Mayor, Councillor John Lightley, will lead a number of civic and church figures, including representatives of both Durham diocese and the cathedral's dean and chapter, at the ceremony.

Plaques will be unveiled to acknowledge key benefactors, whose generosity made the development possible.

No public funds were used to finance the £500,000 project.