A PROJECT aimed at helping council workers is looking towards a bright future.

Thanks to the backing of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Government funding, a Learning Zone has been established at Deerness Leisure Centre, near Durham.

The centre, which has cost more than £10,000, marks the second phase of a project called Push Ahead.

GMB union representative Jimmy Jamieson headed the venture as lead project worker.

Mr Jamieson initiated the first part of the project, which involved the training of four union Learning Representatives and going through lists of manual workers at Durham City Council to determine basic skills needs.

In the second phase, Mr Jamieson applied to the TUC to expand the scheme to include technology facilities for other people.

Yesterday, the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon opened the Learning Zone. The centre can accommodate information technology learning and traditional classroom teaching, and is open seven days a week, 9am to 9pm.