HUNDREDS of pounds worth of grants have been shared among arts and community groups in a bid to boost Darlington's creativity.

Arts organisation and volunteer-run Darlington for Culture (DfC) has issued its latest rounds of small grants awards of up to £500 each.

One grant, of £300, was handed to Cassie Cooper for her Darlington Family Arts Day event due to be hosted in the Dolphin Centre's Central Hall. Central Hall in October.

She said: “I am honoured that with the support from Darlington For Culture I am able to provide this day for the wonderful families in this town.

"I'm a mum of three and a community supporter and event organiser and I wanted to create this day to enable all families an affordable art and culture experience showing what diverse opportunities Darlington has to offer."

Ae second grant of £500 has been awarded to the running costs of the Reading Room, in Neasham, near Darlington.

Tina Murray, Reading Room treasurer, said: “The grant from Darlington for Culture is a great start to our fundraising for the stage which will make a huge difference to what we can host in the village of Neasham.

"Applause Theatre are performing Cluedo - Our American Cousins, a murder mystery evening in September and the next Rural Arts performance, Wolves, is due to be staged in October.”