DALES people who once feared they would lose their community hospital celebrated the opening of a £1m new one yesterday.

Weardale Community Hospital, which replaces Horn Hall, in Stanhope, offers long-term and respite care for 20 elderly and convalescing patients, as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy services.

Patients had been treated at Horn Hall since 1900, but fears were raised four years ago that it would have to be closed after it was announced that repairs to bring the building up to standard would cost £750,000.

Weardale general practitioners, the Dales Primary Care Group, patients and the South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council formed a working group to draw up plans for the development, with County Durham Health Authority and South Durham Health Care NHS Trust.

Consultant physician Dr Richard Prescott performed yesterday's opening ceremony, and Weardale resident Jean Proud announced the new name.

Weardale GP Dr Steve Lumb said: "It is a wonderful hospital. Without Horn Hall we really would have a huge hole in the dale. It fills a great void when we are so far away from other hospitals, especially now they are running down the services at Bishop Auckland and people have to travel further to Darlington."

Dr Prescott said: "This is a beautiful hospital with modern facilities, which will be a tremendous asset to the local community.

"It means that GPs can continue to treat people locally, and provides an environment where patients can be cared for in comfort and with dignity."