SIX years of hard work finally came to fruition last weekend when Delaware Community Learning Centre was officially opened, bringing children's services and educational opportunities for all ages closer to the people.

The Plymouth Raiders basketball team mascot, Foxy, cut the ribbon in front of an audience of cheering schoolchildren.

Many people from the local community came along to see the building and facilities and filled in a survey of what they would like the learning centre to offer in the future.

DCLC is home to the children's centre, pre-school and adult learning complex and attached to the site of Delaware Primary School.

It will also host a community café and there are public access computers, WiFi and three rooms available for hire for events, club meetings and so on.

Chairman of DCLC Norma Greenslade said: 'It's taken a good few years to get there and a lot of hard work but we have had a good team of people behind this project.

'The local fundraising has been great and so has the support and we are grateful to all the people who have contributed. So many people have seen the building going up but have not yet been inside.

'Hopefully, now they will come along and get involved and tell us what they would like to see here. We want it to go from strength to strength.

Mrs Greenslade said there were plans to run many more adult education courses in the future. The results of the survey will be on the website: http://www.delawareclc.org.uk">www.delawareclc.org.uk

More than £100,000 was raised by the committee and local community towards the £500,000 project which was largely funded by Cornwall Council and the former Caradon District Council.

The children's centre will include all anti-natal and post-natal checks, health visitor clinics and baby weigh-in clinics, social groups and advice.

There will also be a Job Centre Plus for jobseekers and training for parents to help them with parenting skills.

Tomorrow (Friday) sees the community café opening at 9am. Anyone who would like to volunteer for the café, help with the garden or landscaping should call 07952 484584.

The official opening of the learning centre was part of a community celebration day which also included a basketball tournament and fair at Delaware Primary School and Albaston Fete on the village green.