INSPIRED by her late daughter, Jean Dixon had a dream of establishing a centre for people with learning disabilities in a rural County Durham village.

And yesterday, she saw her visionary ambition become a reality when the foundation stone was formally laid for the £1m Lisa Dixon Centre, in Haswell.

It was more than 30 years ago that Jean was told her 15-month-old daughter, Lisa, was brain damaged.

Struggling to give her daughter the best upbringing she could, and with no help in the area, she managed to recruit a staggering 42 volunteers to help her provide Lisa with a pioneering exercise programme.

The team became known as the Friends of Brain-Damaged Children and their efforts were spotted by Mencap - a charity for children and adults with learning disabilites - which urged them to start an outreach group.

"We had our first meeting in Haswell Church Hall in 1976 and 76 people turned up. We have just grown and grown from there,'' said Mrs Dixon.

In turn, the success of the Haswell Centre, which is based in a former infant school in the village, brought the group to national recognition.

Two years ago, Lisa died at the age of 32, but the 30-year campaign to establish a purpose-built facility has finally paid off, with the construction of the Mencap centre in Haswell now underway.

Yesterday, Easington's MP John Cummings laid the foundation stone for the building, which is to be named after the inspiration of Lisa.

"The dream is becoming a reality. Lisa was my leading light. I never thought I would be able to achieve the things I have. Losing her was very difficult, but this new centre will stand as her memory,'' said Mrs Dixon.

The building, which will include a music studio, ITC suite, dining room, light, sound and sensory room, has been funded by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Urban II and Strategic Health, with the local community raising a large portion through a host of functions and appeals.

It is to be completed next year.

Hayley Hood, project development co-ordinator said: "The centre will provide activities, services and support to people with learning disabilities and the local community.''

Along with Mrs Dixon, she thanked all who had worked so tirelessly to make the Lisa Dixon Centre become a reality.