Book centre marks first birthday

The Centre for the Children's Book is based in a former Victorian mill

A £6.5m centre dedicated to children's books is marking its first anniversary.

Some 80,000 vistors have passed through the doors of Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books, since it opened in Newcastle last August.

It is housed in a Grade II-listed former Victorian granary in the Ouseburn Valley.

Saturday's anniversary was being marked with a party for children and adult visitors including activities, games and entertainment.

Chief executive Mary Briggs said: "What we have achieved at Seven Stories is a dream come true.

"We have had 80,000 people through the door in our first year and fantastic feedback from visitors young and old.

"Children can visit the favourites they love and adults feel a great sense of nostalgia. Everything about what we do connects people with the books they love."

In April, it was named Project of the Year 2006 at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East Renaissance Awards for the part it had played in the regeneration of the area.