WHEN teacher Chris Hallett planned to turn a derelict village school into an arts centre, she told the D&S Times it would be open by Christmas.

"That was two years ago, but I didn't say which Christmas!" said Mrs Hallett, who plans to open to the public on Saturday, October 16.

Mrs Hallett, with husband Pete, bought Cockfield CE School, or the "Bottom School" as it was more commonly known, in February 2002 with the aim of turning her vision into reality. The building was the seat of learning for village youth until its three classrooms closed in 1962.

It then became Ray Teasdale's electrical workshop, after which it stood empty for some time before being turned into the 16-bedroom Hycroft nursing home, which closed five years ago and was badly vandalised when the Halletts bought it.

"It was a mess, but it just felt right," said Mrs Hallett, who had never previously set foot in Cockfield.

An art teacher in Blackpool, she was in the area with a friend from Fishburn when they took a wrong turning, and the rest, as they say, is history.

"Pete and I had been looking for somewhere to open an arts centre and Cockfield seemed as nice a place as any, but friends thought we were totally mad," she said. "It has taken us longer than we thought to convert, but by doing the work ourselves we estimate we have saved about £100,000 in labour charges."

Mr Hallett continued his work in Blackpool at first, then moved to Cockfield to do the main building work while Mrs Hallett went back to the resort to teach for a year, commuting to Cockfield at weekends.

Mrs Hallett said the sign on the green referred to funding of the village streetscape and not their centre.

"People think we have received pots of money in grants, which is simply not the case," she said. "We have received about £8,000 from the Arts Council and Teesdale Enterprise Agency, towards final fixtures and fittings, but have paid for everything else ourselves."

Since her permanent return, she has been busy putting the finishing touches as the building work progresses.

The premises - which have been named Legend Arts Centre - will be a focus for creative art, teaching courses and an exhibition centre, but the main gallery, converted from six of the nursing home's bedrooms, is large enough for functions and conferences. There is also a ceramics studio, complete with pottery wheels and a kiln, and two teaching rooms.

She is also hoping to get local schools involved in various themed art competitions, with prizes on offer.

Mrs Hallett taught art for 27 years, and sells her goods at craft fairs and exhibitions. October's two-day opening event will include the work of 20 artists and craftsmen from all over the country, who have offered their support.

"It is a selling exhibition," said Mrs Hallett. "We envisage holding monthly exhibitions and fairs over the next year, running alongside an ongoing programme of teaching events and vocational courses."

Mrs Hallett is keen to hear from any tutors or anyone who would like to make use of the new premises. She can be contacted on 01388 710985 or 078171 93514.

The centre first opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday, October 16-17, from 10am-5pm each day. Admission is £1.