HEALTH services in communities across the north of County Durham are to receive £250,000 in funding.

Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) won the cash from the Department of Health after being awarded a "three-star" rating by the Commission for Health Improvement last year.

The trust will spend the money on upgrading GP surgeries to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and improving a range of community services.

These include a facelift for Avenue House, in Durham City, Pelton Clinic and Kepier Clinic, in Gilesgate.

Andrew Young, the PCT's chief executive, said: "We were delighted to have received a three-star rating in our first assessment by the Commission for Health Improvement and to be awarded an extra £250,000 funding as a result.

"We have decided to use the additional money to modernise and improve our community clinics and GP surgeries and to purchase new equipment.

"Our staff and GP practice staff will be able to deliver even better health care for patients in modern, comfortable facilities."

Some of the money will go to the therapies departments in Chester-le-Street Hospital and to pay for equipment for speech and language therapy.

Community nurses will get computers and the Home Loans department is also in line for extra cash.