A CENTRE offering support and education for women in a north Durham community is celebrating the official opening of new premises.

The Bridge Women's Education and Support Project's new facilities in the old Co-op building, behind Front Street in Chester-le-Street, have been officially opened by district council leader Coun Linda Ebbatson. Training and development worker Andrea Conlon said the service, which has several centres in the Washington area, had been in Chester-le-Street for a number of years.

The new premises will run three morning sessions and three afternoon sessions every day.

The project, working with New College Durham, offers a variety of courses, including maths and English, forensic science, crafts and confidence building.

It also provides support services with a drop-in service on Thursday mornings, where woman can have a cup of tea and receive one-to-one help. For further information contact (0191) 389 1504.