VOLUNTARY and community groups in former coalfield areas of the North-East are to receive help for various local projects.

Awards totalling £48,149 have been made to five good causes in the region, in the latest round of grant funding by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust.

The largest sum is £30,000 to provide facilities for young people in Coxhoe and surrounding villages, near Durham.

Members of Coxhoe Community Partnership recently received confirmation of the award, which will go into the kitty towards the cost of creating an all-inclusive skate park for in-line skaters, skate boarders and mountain bikers.

The partnership aims to raise a total of £300,000 to fund the development, on land alongside the Coxhoe Kids Zone play park, near the district sports centre.

A further £10,000 has been awarded by the trust for Easington District Association for the Blind.

It will help to part-fund the purchase of two static caravans for disabled people.

Meanwhile, a £5,000 award, has been approved by the trust for Trimdon Village Hall Association.

The money will help with the cost of redecorating the hall, which involves the removal of asbestos boards, to be replaced with plyboard.

Chester-le-Street and District Activity Centre is receiving a £1,000 grant to cover salary and training costs for an instructor.

The remaining £2,149 is to meet the cost of equipment, including 50 training mats, for the Hagakure Aikido Club, in Outram Street, Houghton-le-Spring.