CHILDREN'S artwork was on display at the opening of a community centre in Heston on Saturday.

Residents have spent £5,000 turning a former GP surgery in Brabazon Road into the community venue.

The building is already being used by groups including popular children's arts and crafts sessions. Children have been making lanterns for Chinese New Year.

Sandra Middleton, chairman of Brabazon Estate Residents' Association, said several new groups were lined up to start using the centre in the coming weeks.

"We're hoping to hold coffee mornings and bingo sessions, and Age Concern are probably coming," she said. "Hopefully many more people will start using it now and it will become a real focus point for the community."

Women's exercise classes and children's music lessons are among the other events lined up to begin soon, but Mrs Middleton said she was keen to hear from any other groups or individuals on the estate.

The building has two rooms for hire, costing £10 an hour during the week and £12.50 at weekends.

The residents' association was awarded £90,000 for the scheme last year as part of the Rainbow Project, jointly run by Hounslow Homes and Hounslow Council.

However, members are saving the bulk of that cash until the outcome of controversial plans to build scores of new homes on the estate is known. * For more information about the community centre, or to make a booking, call Mrs Middleton on 020 8759 0982.