A RUNDOWN former club has been transformed into a nursery and offices by an expanding care home company.

Gainford Care Homes has spent £3.2m remodelling the old Greenbank WMC, in Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, which closed two years ago.

The building is now home to the company’s offices, which were at Perkinsville, and contains a new venture, the Bright Star Nursery.

The family-run company, which was founded in 1995, now has 14 care homes across the region.

Managing director Imran Kaliq said: "This will be the first of many nurseries to come.

"We will be opening more in the next year."

Mr Kaliq said 20 jobs were being credated in the offices and 70 in the new 120-place nursery, which is due to open on April 2.

The nursery will be holding open days on on Saturday March10, 17 and 24 between 10am and 3pm when families can see the facilities and enjoy attractions including a bouncy castle and face painting.

The new offices and nursery were officially opened by North Durham, MP Kevan Jones and Blaydon MP Dave Anderson.

For more information visit brightstarnursery.co.uk or call 0191-389 5817.