A UNIVERSITY project that helps adults with disabilities is in line for a national award.

Principal lecturer Gary Unthank and senior lecturer Siobhan Devlin, both from Sunderland University's School of Computing and Technology, have been working with the Shinwell Centre, a centre for adults with disabilities in Peterlee.

The pair devised a new element to an undergraduate degree course that allows students to work together to produce multimedia software for the centre.

Their work has been shortlisted for the Higher Education Active Community Fund awards, which recognise good practice in outreach projects.

Sunderland is one of only three universities nationally to receive three nominations.

Professor Peter Fidler, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "Being nominated in three categories is great news.

"The nominations are deserved recognition of the excellent community work that is going on at the university."

The other two projects nominated are a group of international students from China who visit North-East schools to break down cultural barriers, and the Community Bridge scheme, which allows students to work with volunteer groups in the region.

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on December 9 at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.