Joy as rebuilt centre launched

John Dixon, the strategic director of West Sussex social and caring services, performed the short ceremony last Wednesdayat the charity for people with learning difficulties.

He was watched by representatives of the centre's clients, their parents, insurers and the fire and rescue service. The occasion meant that the detached building could again be used as a rest room for the adult clients who use the centre off the A27.

It contains a quiet room where they can enjoy their lunches, a pool and TV room for relaxation, lockers, toilets and showers. It is used every weekday by an average of 42 people.

The past year had seen them make do with a series of portable buildings while the extensive damage caused by the serious blaze was repaired at a cost of about 241,000.

Sue Levitt, the managing director of Aldingbourne Trust, which runs the centre, said: 'It was pretty grim over the winter with the portable buildings to provide some space for people.

'It is absolutely marvellous to have the building back. We have changed its design to make it better and it is good to be able to use it again. Our builders finished the work on budget and a month ahead of schedule.'

The original building was opened by Mr Dixon in 2002 after a fundraising campaign by the trust.

But on Sunday, May 7, last year it was being consumed by flames after an alarm at 9.09pm sent firefighters to the scene. An electrical fault sparked the worst fire the centre has known since it opened in 1979.

'The best we will ever know about the cause of the blaze is that there are suspicions that a mouse chewed through the wires and caused the electricity to arc,' said Mrs Levitt.

Fire crews remained at the scene until 1am the next day. The building's roof was wrecked by the flames and the ceiling had collapsed.