A £1.4 million centre to help maintain Derbyshire's rural heritage and promote sustainable living is set to open.

Derbyshire County Council has built its Eco Centre on Porter Lane, Middleton-by-Wirksworth.

It will expand the number of courses the council offers to help maintain the area’s rural heritage, such as dry stone walling, stone masonry and roofing.

The centre will also run courses to help people gain skills to live sustainably, including reusing more, reducing energy use, and making the most of a green-thinking economy.

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Councillor Andrew Lewer, Derbyshire County Council Leader, will officially open the new centre during a day of celebration on Saturday, September 18.

Councillor Lewer said: "Derbyshire has a long history of rural building skills which we are committed to preserving.

"Our new Derbyshire Eco Centre will support people to gain essential workplace skills – in some cases maintaining centuries old traditions at the same time.

"We want to help Derbyshire residents to live sustainable lifestyles and courses at the centre will help them do this to save money and protect the environment."

The eco centre includes many environmentally-friendly features including a grass roof, rainwater harvesting to supply toilets, solar panels to heat water, and under floor heating driven by an air source heat pump.

(CD/GK)