Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre has been awarded £40,000 to pay for a part-time worker for the next three years.

The Community Fund award means outreach groups across Sedgefield borough will continue to run.

The centre provides support to more than 900 carers, and staff aim to help combat people's feelings of isolation and provide carers with the opportunity to develop better coping skills.

Centre manager Sue Orton said: "The groups enable carers to meet other people in a similar situation and benefit from support from the worker with information and activities arranged for interested carers."