YOUTH projects ranging from junior football clubs to drama workshops will receive a share of a £40,000 funding pot following a public vote.

Thirteen schemes came out trumps after a series of road shows at 12 schools across the East of County Durham.

Nearly 1,300 pupils voted at the events, which were organised by the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership and Investing in Children, and the successful schemes were announced at a family fun day in Sedgefield earlier this month.

Each project was allocated between £500 and £4,000 to help with setting up and running costs.

A vote was also taken to identify new priorities for the area action partnership in the year ahead, with activities for young people, support for older people and health and wellbeing highlighted as key issues for residents of Sedgefield, Trimdon, Coxhoe, Bowburn and surrounding villages.

The successful youth projects were: Keep us Entertained, Sedgefield Areas Surrounding Communities; 2 Cool 4 School Kids, Quarrington Hill Village Partnership; Trimdon Grange Youth Club, Trimdon Grange Community Centre; Drama Workshops, Trimdon Village Hall Association; Reconnect Trimdon; Groundwork North East; Outdoor Environment, Deaf Hill Primary School; Trimdon Village Junior and Senior Youth Clubs, Trimdon Community College Youth Group; Dance it Live It with Sophie Johnson; Luminate @ Sedgefield Hardwick, Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School; Internet Cafe Club, Wellfield Community School; Sedgefield Youth Football Club; Brains, books and bountiful creations, Trimdon Parents and Toddlers.