A PIECE of history has been preserved in a community resource centre which is due to open in Bishop Auckland later this year.

The Four Clocks Project is scheduled to open at the end of April, in a former Wesleyan Methodist Church, in Newgate Street, once well-known for the four clock faces on its tower.

A time capsule was laid in the base of a wall at the centre on Friday.

It was created by pupils at Bishop Barrington School and laid by Lez Rawe, a life-long resident of the town who was very involved with the former church as a preacher.

Project director Meg Brown said: "Most buildings have a foundation stone laying ceremony and as this is not possible we have decided to put in a time capsule instead."

The £1.2m scheme will be home to a wide range of groups, including national and local advice and support agencies, and will offer a coffee bar, a crche, and meeting and conference facilities.

In the last two weeks in February a book will be available at the town hall in which people can write their memories of the building.