A MINISTER will travel to east Durham next week to open the county's first Classroom of the Future.

The learning zone at New Seaham Primary School is one of three classrooms proposed by the county council.

The other two are at Easington Community School and Escomb Primary School, near Bishop Auckland.

School Standards Minister David Miliband will launch the venture on Friday.

The creation of the unit has involved replacing the school's hall to make way for the facilities.

These include three learning zones, an informatics centre, a mezzanine level for information communication technology, community facilities and a multi-function hall with a sound studio.

Councillor Neil Foster said: "When the Government announced a scheme that enabled local education authorities to build Classrooms of the Future, we were delighted to receive just over £1m to develop the high-tech facility at three schools.

"After months of planning and construction, additional funding from the county council and contributions from each of the three schools, we now have a wonderful testament to our commitment to meet the needs of our pupils and teachers in the 21st Century.

"New Seaham's learning zone is used during the day for a range of activities, including digital movie-making, multi-media presentations and the performing arts.

"Outside of the school day, it will provide a facility for community use, including a cyber cafe, youth club and performing arts centre."

Coun Foster said everyone at the school and council had worked hard together on the scheme.