A FORMER Methodist Sunday school will be the first port of call for the thousands of visitors expected to flock to the region's first national museum when it opens in two years' time.

Sedgefield Borough Council has already taken over 1888 building in Shildon, which will be used as a ticket office and visitor centre for the town's £7.7m offshoot of the National Railway Museum in York.

Work is under way to clear out asbestos and weatherproof the building which is opposite the existing Timothy Hackworth Museum.

It was built by subscription during the boom years of the 19th century, when the railways brought industrial prosperity to County Durham's towns and villages.

During both world wars it was used by the Army, providing both a enlisting centre and a comfortable billet for soldiers travelling up and down the country.

By the time of the Second World War it had been taken over by a clothing factory which at one time made fire brigade uniforms. S and G Cables took it over in 1992 and moved out 18 months ago to an industrial unit on the Furnace Industrial Estate. Detailed plans for the main museum are being submitted over the next few weeks. These include an 800m rail link from Timothy Hackworth to the new centre south of the railway bridge crossing Dale Road and Spout Lane.

Traders have welcomed the development, which was granted £4.9m if Heritage Lottery funding last week.

Shildon Chamber of Trade chairman Brian Stoker said: "We can't wait for this to finally happen because we can only see it benefiting Shildon.

"Everyone is very positive about it because it will bring visitors to the whole area. It is bound to be good for us."