DESIGNERS have been appointed to oversee the development of a social history centre in County Durham.

Middleton Plus has appointed Lindsay Tuck Associates, from Rowlands Gill, as the designers of the Heritage Resource and Activities Centre at Middleton-in-Teesdale.

The centre has been developed in consultation with a wide variety of groups and organisations in the area.

The overall theme of the centre, above the village's Co-op supermarket, is local social history of the 19th Century.

It is aimed at adults wanting serious information about the heritage of the area, but includes an entertaining aspect for children. There will also be a caf.

Work on construction and refurbishment will start as soon as possible and take 20 weeks. The detailed planning and fitting out will be completed for the opening next March.

Local heritage interest groups, schools and community groups will be involved in gathering information for display in the centre.

Lindsay Tuck said: "We are thrilled to have won this contract and are looking forward to working with Middleton Plus and the people of Middleton to develop the visitor centre."