A TRUST combining the two organisations responsible for sports and arts provision will be launched with a host of free activities.

Derwentside's Leisureworks has organised a week events at its five buildings across the district, starting on Saturday, to mark its inception.

The merger of Derwentside Leisure Services - the district's theatre and arts venues, outreach community arts, sports and play services - with the operators of the public sports and swimming facilities, Derwentside Leisure Limited, follows months of planning.

The Derwentside Trust for Sport and the Arts, trading as Leisureworks, will enjoy more independence and will be able to apply for grants.

The non-profit organisation will have an initial grant of £2m from Derwentside District Council and a 35-year lease on five buildings.

District council chief executive Mike Clark said: "In creating Leisureworks, the council wanted to establish an organisation that could sustain and develop quality sports and arts facilities in the district.

"The organisation has been put together with the financial support of the council to provide services for our thriving community in a way that was not available to the council."

He added: "It is early days yet, but all of the ingredients are in place, with a strong management team and board to creat a thriving organisation."

The chief executive of Leisureworks, Lindsay Tuck, will manage a staff of about 200 people.

She said: "The future holds many opportunities and we are confident that we are in a favourable position to improve and develop leisure across County Durham."

Among the free events, to celebrate the new organisation, are a showing of the classic film the Dam Busters, at the Empire Theatre, in Consett, and Lamplight Arts Centre, in Stanley, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

They will also be running the Saturday Movie Club a day early, tomorrow, aiming at an audience from nurseries, infants and Surestart groups.

The Try Five Team will be using the week to establish dance lessons for over- 50s at the Lamplight, starting on Wednesday.

For more details on the events, call 01207-218522