AN art club is celebrating a cash boost that will help it to enlist the services of a professional art tutor and stock up on materials.

Fishburn Art Group, in County Durham, has been awarded a £2,000 community chest grant from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

The cash will be used to fund monthly workshops with a professional tutor, offering advice on a range of techniques and styles.

It will also pay to have pictures framed and buy extra art materials.

The group has about 20 regular members who meet every Monday morning, in Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, to work on their latest group or individual projects.

Four members of the art group regularly hold workshop sessions in Fishburn Primary School, encouraging youngsters to be creative and helping them to design a village calendar for the annual Northumbria In Bloom competition.

Published: 17/12/2004