THE £2.5 million Dover Discovery Centre will be a new place of learning and knowledge for all.

At the official opening of the building, which was previously home to the White Cliffs Experience, the public and partnerships involved with the project gained the opportunity chance to celebrate its completion.

The building has been transformed into a centre for education at all levels, incorporating the town's library, the latest technology for learning and adult education services.

At Saturday's launch, head of adult education for Kent and project director, Des Crilley, said it had been a "complex and challenging" two and a half years in the making.

"Everyone involved has been on a road of discovery to realise a vision for a new place of learning for all ages," he added.

Mr Crilley said it would become the learning hub for the whole district, linking up with other centres in Dover.

Opening the centre, Kent County Council leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, described it as a "wonderful project".

He added: "Dover and East Kent are facing an extraordinary time of change and opportunity and developing skills and learning are essential to raise the fortunes of the area.

"The Dover Discovery Centre will bring people together and allow them to discover knowledge and fulfilment in their lives."

Funding for the project, which also incorporates the town's museum, a cafe, nursery and theatre, has come from a combination of KCC, district council, Kent & Medway Learning Skills Council, Single Regeneration Budget and lottery money.

District council leader, Cllr Paul Watkins, said: "This award-winning building was created for multi-functional use and this is exactly what it is now doing."