A project to turn a barge into a floating community centre has received a £30,000 grant.

Work on the Stockton Community Barge, which will be used for educational and community projects, has been ongoing for 20 months.

The grant from the Greggs Trust has been awarded to the St Ann's Partnership, which works to improve life in disadvantaged areas.

The 50ft by 10ft community barge is moored at the Tees Barrage in Stockton and has recently been completed. It will be able to travel upstream as far as Yarm.

"The idea for the barge project came from a group of local women who had attended a team-building course on a barge in the Midlands in 1998," said project co-ordinator Iain Fishburn.

"The building and fitting out, which has all been undertaken by the local community, has given them an opportunity to learn new skills such as woodwork, plumbing, boat handling, barge and glass painting.

"It will be used primarily for providing educational and training courses, some of which will be residential, but it will also be available for recreational opportunities for local residents."

The barge will open on Monday, May 24.

For bookings, call (01642) 674717.