A SUPPORT group for recovering heart patients has received £1,000 thanks to generous employees.

The Take Heart Support Group received the cheque from the Employees' Charity Fund, at the Corus Teesside Works.

It will help fund 14 classes, which are run each week at venues in Middlesbrough and east Cleveland.

David Armstrong, from the support group, said: "With annual running costs in excess of £25,000 and a limited income from members' donations, the Take Heart Support Group committee is forever welcome for financial assistance, such as that given by Corus, to help meet the costs of tutors' fees, venue hire and the replacement of exercise equipment."

Tony Poynter, chairman of the Corus Teesside Works Employees' Charity Fund, a joint union and management venture, said: "Although the number of employees at the works has fallen, the voluntary donations scheme has not suffered.

"In fact, the monies raised stayed at the same level as last year. This year we donated £12,750 to local charities."