Great experiment proves a big success in first 25 years

IT was a new, bright, progressive symbol of the dawning 21st century on Tyneside and it opened its doors this week 25 years ago.

- DAVID MORTON

The International Centre For Life, built near the site of Newcastle's former Marlborough Crescent bus station and livestock markets, was unveiled on May 27, 2000. It would be officially opened by the Queen and Prince Philip in December that year.

Quarter of a century on, and firmly established as part of the fabric of the North East community, the centre proudly describes itself as "a dynamic science hub in the heart of Newcastle where scientists, clinicians, technologists and educationalists work side-by-side on one site.

"The NHS and Newcastle University are key partners on site. Life has transformed countless lives over the past quarter century; from babies born as a result of groundbreaking fertility treatment to patients with debilitating diseases who have benefited from research and clinical treatment on site.