ONE of the North-East's most famous actors, Kevin Whately, has opened a pioneering new day centre for people with dementia.

The TV star, whose mother had dementia, was guest of honour at the official opening of Dementia Cares new dementia-friendly day centre and respite wing in Brunswick Village, Newcastle.

The North-East charity has invested 300,000 in refurbishing the centre, which is the only one of its kind in the region and probably the country.

The charity also has five supported-living houses on the same site, where people live together as a family in small groups helped by specialist care staff.

Dementia Care's housing, an alternative to residential care for people with dementia, has been used as an examples of good practice by the Department of Health.

"This facility is a superb addition to the region," said Mr Whately, who grew up in Hexham, Northumberland, and attended Barnard Castle School.

"I have first hand knowledge of the challenges faced by sufferers and their families and the support this centre offers at every stage of the condition would have been invaluable to me and my family."

Dementia Care looks after more than 280 people in Tyne and Wear, offering a range of services including 24 hour support in their own homes, independent living houses, day clubs and respite care.

The new respite facility, which was funded by The Ballinger Trust, is a five bedroom unit, complete with dementia-friendly furniture and equipment.