DIGNITARIES and members of community organisations gathered at a formal ceremony to launch the opening of a £675,000 project that will become a key meeting place for residents.

Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, Patron of the Four Clocks Project, cut the ribbon at the ceremony last Friday and praised the efforts of volunteers who had brought their ambitious dream to fruition.

He said: "It is a superb building. Wonderful. It has been a tremendous effort by the volunteers who have brought this together."

The project got its name from the landmark clock tower at the Wesleyan Church, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, which has been transformed into a one-stop community facility for the town.

The new community resource centre is the result of six years hard work by volunteers and has resulted in £1.2m investment in the town of Bishop Auckland.

The building will house various different volunteer organisations and provide a wide range of services, including national and local advice and support agencies.

It will also have a coffee bar, creche, meeting and conference facilities and an internet caf.

Nine new jobs have been created by Bishop Auckland Community Partnership for the venture and a further three will be created within the year.

Many of the church's original features including stained glass windows and beams have been retained.

Project co-ordinator Meg Brown told guests, which included councillors and local businesses, that the building was vibrant and praised everyone for their hard work.

The centre opened to the public on Tuesday and residents are invited to an open day this Friday, from 10am to 4pm, to meet staff and have a look around.

The new coffee bar will be open until 2pm.