A multi-million pound library and customer service centre is to be built in a Teesside town.
Stockton Council has allocated cash for the £2.5m project in Billingham.
It said it would be modelled on similar centres in Thornaby and Stockton, which had led to a rise in the number of users.
It plans to develop the complex on the former Billingham Art Gallery and council offices site and is looking at either refurbishment or a new building.
The council said it still hoped to work with the NHS to include a health element in the plans.
Construction is due to start in 2013.
It is the latest in a number of improvement projects in the town including the refurbishment of the town's Forum leisure complex.
Work is also about to start on a £2.35m improvement scheme for the town centre including new seating, lighting and repaving.
Stockton Council cabinet member for regeneration and transport Mike Smith said: "The service centres have been hugely successful and popular elsewhere in the borough and also help attract many people to go into the town centres."
- Published9 December 2011
- Published2 June 2011
