PLANS have been unveiled to create a new treatment centre in north Durham for people with mental health problems - but two existing units will close.

An overhaul of adult mental health services will see an in-patient unit built, for Durham, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside.

It will replace the outdated County Hospital in Durham and the Allensford Ward at the Derwent Clinic in Shotley Bridge, near Consett.

Harry Cronin is director of mental health, learning disabilities and nursing at County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust.

He said: "This is not just about providing state of the art facilities. Our aim is to strengthen and expand community services for people with mental illnesses.

"We want to put the service users at the centre of what we do and give them real choices about the treatment they receive."

The proposals include rehabilitation services and beds in Derwentside, for patients experiencing a crisis. Community-based services will also be extended to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The primary care trusts covering Derwentside, Durham and Chester-le-Street are holding a series of meetings to get opinions about the changes.

Andrew Young, chief executive of Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT, said: "Both PCTs are committed to modernising and improving local mental health services and looking at ways to ensure the continued development of our health services by listening to the views of our partner organisations and local people."

The consultation exercise will run until April 19. The first public meeting takes place in Collingwood College, South Road, Durham, on Tuesday, March 2, from 10am until noon.

For further details, telephone (0191) 333 3033, or visit the trust's web site at www.cddps.nhs.uk