A SPORTS centre, redeveloped to house a town library and council services, has been officially re-opened.

Stanley Library and Durham County Council’s customer access point have been moved to the Louisa Centre at the top of Front Street in Stanley.

The move has cost around £2m, but the authority has said it will save around £62,000 a year in running costs and ongoing maintenance.

Council leader, Councillor Simon Henig, and council chairman, Cllr Jan Blakey, were among the civic dignitaries at the launch.

Alan Patrickson, the council’s head of project and business services, said: “We are pleased that our project to provide better access to services for people living in the Stanley area has now been completed and our members of staff look forward to welcoming customers new and old to enjoy the new facilities.

“The wider refurbishment of the Louisa Centre will also deliver improved leisure facilities in the town.”

No plans for the old library or the former council building further down Front Street have yet been revealed.

Further information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/louisa