A SCHOOL that became the first in the region to gain specialist arts college status has launched its new £1.2m offshoot.

Greenfield School's new Community Arts Centre is expected to give Newton Aycliffe added importance as a leading venue for the visual and performing arts in South West Durham.

Prime Minister Tony Blair gave the centre new status as a focus for the arts when he visited Greenfield last week.

The new building was developed in response to a survey that identified the north-west part of Newton Aycliffe as being short of arts and community facilities.

Greenfield sought to remedy the situation and strengthen the artistic links it was already developing with the community by seeking lottery funding to help to finance a new arts centre.

To help with funding, the school teamed up with the Arts Council, Durham County Council, Great Aycliffe Town Council, the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, Bishop Auckland College, County Durham TEC, Sedgefield Borough Council and Northern Arts.

Headmaster David Tate said the new facilities, coupled with those already within the school, would bring benefits to the school, town and wider community.

He said: "It is an exciting opportunity for the development of the arts and we are proud to have worked with our partners in bringing about this excellent cultural learning facility."

Coun Don Robson, leader of Durham County Council, which funded a £190,000 music suite at the school, said: "I am sure it will allow a lot of untapped artistic talent to flourish."

Peter Hewitt, chief executive of the Arts Council for England, said: "Greenfield School Community and Arts College is an important initiative for the Arts Council as it demonstrates the powerful part that the arts can play in the community renewal.