WORK has started on a new £2.7m library and customer service centre in Billingham.

The new building will bring together the town’s main public library, customer services for Stockton Council and Tristar Homes, a cash office and Billingham Town Council’s headquarters all under one roof.

Councillor Mike Smith, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “It is exciting to see this latest stage of the redevelopment of Billingham progressing.

“We know how much our residents value library services and this new facility will help to promote library use even more.

“The existing customer service centres in Stockton and Thornaby central libraries are hugely popular and I’m sure this new customer service centre will make a real difference to people living in Billingham, saving them time as they can access all of the facilities they need under one roof.”

The new centre is being built on the site of the town’s former art gallery and council offices and is expected to open during the winter of 2015.

For further information about investment in Billingham Town Centre, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/billingham