A £10.5M learning centre at a college has been officially opened.

The facilities at Carmel RC College, Darlington, were unveiled by town MP Alan Milburn yesterday.

The project at the technology college involved pupils being taught in temporary classrooms while work was carried out.

The recently appointed Bishop of Newcastle and Hexham, the Right Reverend Seamus Cunningham, blessed the centre before it was opened by Mr Milburn.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a keen supporter of the school, sent a video message of congratulations.

Guests at the opening included Darlington Borough Council leader Councillor John Williams and chief executive Ada Burns, representatives from builder Miller Construction, and headteachers from schools across Darlington.

Mr Milburn said: “It is a privilege to be asked to come here.

“This is one of the best schools in the country and these facilities reflect that.

“This has been a fantastic investment for the future.

This will not just benefit this generation, but generations to come.

Milburn tells Brown not to abandon olicies

MP Alan Milburn yesterday warned the Government not to abandon policies already in place.

Speaking at the college opening, he said: “It is very important that the Government is focused on making sure we get people through this economic recession and we get out as quickly as possible.

“Equally, it is important we develop policies and have them in place that are right for the time in the future.

“We have got to avoid reaching for the wrong solution.

“There has got to be a development of power in local communities like here in Darlington and, in my opinion, in the future we should be doing more to give people greater control in their lives.”

Mr Milburn said that more of new Labour was needed, not less, in order to get through the problems the country is facing.

He said: “It is going to be a very difficult fourth election, but a year is a long time in politics and I have no doubt that the Labour party has far better policies than the Conservatives will ever have.

“It is about giving people the power to choose what they want. It is about what is required in the future and not just in the past.”