A CLOTHING bank “with a difference” has been shortlisted for a national award for its contribution to helping people in the North-East to lead better lives.

The Trending bank opened last year in Middlesbrough’s Riverside Industrial Estate as a project to supply formal, casual and work wear to ensure individuals in need are better equipped for employment, education and training.

Sixteen months on from the Actes charity opening Trending, the clothes bank has been shortlisted in the forthcoming Royal Society for Public Health Awards 2017 in the Community Health Development category.

Sandra Phillips, chief executive at Actes, said: “Our new concept Trending clothing bank was set up to help individuals in Middlesbrough, particularly young people, to overcome barriers to employment, training and other opportunities, and we are delighted to have been able to help well over 300 people access quality clothing in a dignified way since the project launched last June."

Winners will be revealed at a ceremony in London this week.