A CENTRE for people with Alzheimer's and dementia was opened yesterday.

The chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, Harry Cayton, travelled from London to open The Green centre, in Nettlesworth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Staff, carers, volunteers, Chester-le-Street District Council officials and the former Mayor of Durham, Councillor George Cowper, had all been involved in converting the centre.

More than £20,000 was raised to convert the community hall into a centre for the society to provide daycare for people from Durham and Chester-le-Street, rather than relying on hiring rooms in halls.

The centre will offer daycare not just to the elderly, but also for younger people with dementia.

Branch manager Jennifer Brown said: "It is a nice, homely environment for people with dementia. There is also a flat that has been renovated for younger people with dementia, who use it twice a week."

The centre will also operate as a community hall for groups which used it previously.

The renovation was funded with grants from Lloyds TSB, the Northern Rock Foundation and the district council.

Coun Cowper also contributed money from his Mayor's Appeal fund.

Care services co-ordinator Debbie Keenan said: "This centre will provide a more effective and efficient resource to help our people."