A NEW community centre which residents have helped to design was officially opened in Murdishaw, Runcorn on Friday.

The Mayor of Halton, Cllr Julie Devaney, unveiled a plaque at Murdishaw Community Centre when she was joined by representatives of Halton Borough Council, housing associations and local people active in community life.

The centre, which comprises a main hall, meeting room and kitchen, will provide a new focus for the residents of Murdishaw to take part in a wide range of community activities. They had already identified the need to include a drop in facility such as a community cafe, to develop the centre as a base for training courses, and as an advice and information point.

A council community development worker will be based at the centre to develop services.

The project is the first joint venture of its kind in Halton and is a partnership between Halton Borough Council, Riverside Housing Association, Liverpool Housing Trust and is also supported by funding from the Single Regeneration Budget.

Murdishaw Community Forum has been an active partner in the development of the scheme and has been engaged in the development process.

Local people have been involved with the project at all stages and will continue to drive its direction and development through a local management board.

Cllr Phil Harris, Halton Council's executive board member responsible for community centres, said: "This new centre, which is a much-needed facility, is a modern design rather than the old style structures that used to be built. It is a high quality building more suited to the needs of the community in the 21st century.