DURING the past decade, the Heritage Lottery Fund has handed out about 800 grants to projects that have gone on to make a genuine difference to communities.

But, before getting their hands on the fund's much sought-after cash, all applicants are asked to consider the educational potential of their schemes.

That criteria has proved invaluable, with a wealth of learning resources now available at heritage sites, to be tapped into by family or school visits.

In addition, the fund also encourages young people to discover more about their heritage through the Young Roots programme, aimed at 13 to 20-year-olds.

Since the scheme began, surveys have found that 89 per cent of projects changed young peoples' attitudes towards heritage.

The Joe Walton Community and Youth Centre, in Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, has received a £25,000 Young Roots grant to put its history on display.

Founded in 1906 to improve the wellbeing of local boys, under the motto Fitness In All Things, the centre has grown to the point where it is a focus for the whole community.

The scheme will see 35 young people researching the history of the centre and creating a permanent display.

A £131,000 grant has been allocated for Durham Community Project to look after heritage collections being built up in the county.

The scheme will also help make the collections more accessible and raise awareness among communities about their past.

It will result in exhibitions being staged in community centres and libraries, events being held at shows, story-telling sessions in schools, as well as new local history publications and village trails.

Organisers say that museums and libraries staff had long wanted to make their venues the focus for exhibitions and workshops, inspiring young and old alike to take an active interest in their surroundings.