finishing touches are being put to a £30m development in time for its January opening.

Durham's Millennium City, - comprising the 500-seat Gala Theatre, a visitor centre, public square, business advice centre, meeting rooms for voluntary groups, a library, Tourist Information Centre and crafts workshops - forms part of an overall strategy by Durham City Council to transform the city centre over the coming years.

As the first section of the project to be completed, Millennium City is expected to create almost 1,000 jobs and provide a major boost to the local economy.

Project leader John Jennings, director of environmental services for Durham City Council, said: "Gala will officially open on January 20th, when Westlife will perform."

Tickets for that concert - which also features Nicholas Parsons, Les Dennis, Simon Callow and other stars - are already sold out, but there are still some available for the big top marquee in the grounds of Durham Sixth Form College, to which the concert will be beamed live.

For tickets visit the Gala box office in Durham's Market Place, or ring 020 7379 0223/4 for credit card purchases.

To find out more about the Gala Supporters Club, whose annual subscription is £25 per person, ring (0191) 383 9985.