NEW childcare facilities will be formally launched in a North-East village this week.

A 26-place nursery unit, will be opened at Collierley Primary School, Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, tomorrow.

The £125,000 site was developed by Durham County Council and built by its construction arm Service Direct.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for education, said: "Collierley Primary is already a very successful school and we now have a wonderful new building for the 21st Century that matches its excellence and high aspirations."

The building features connected nursery areas, quiet and wet play areas, new toilets and kitchen facilities.

It was part-funded by the Department for Education and Skills and will be used by Dipton Out-of-School-Hours Club.

Moving the nursery out of the school has freed up space for a computer suite and training room. It will be open to the public next month.