SCHOOLS, residents and businesses in County Durham will continue to benefit from a scheme tackling poverty and ‘changing debt culture into a savings culture’.

After a successful first year in the post, Durham County Council’s Durham Savers project officer Paul Atkinson has been appointed for another 12 months to help schools, families and businesses engage in saving.

In the first year, Durham Savers has introduced more than 500 young people to saving, and helped businesses introduce salary savings schemes to their employees.

Brian Riley, coordinator for Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership, one of three AAPs to fund the project, said: “We are delighted to have Paul continue his role with the Durham Savers project and the benefits this will bring.”

Anyone interested in being part of the project should email savers@durham.gov.uk