AN art group is hoping to attract new members after being awarded a grant of more than £1,800 from a housing association.

The Chester-le-Street Art Society meets weekly and holds regular exhibitions but has found that its membership has dwindled in recent years.

It is encouraging local people to come along and join the group, which is now well stocked with all the materials members will need thanks to a grant from Cestria Community Housing.

Society secretary Olive Norwood said: “In our heyday we had more than 40 members but in recent years numbers have dropped and we would love to reach out and invite new people to join us.

“You don’t have to be an expert painter, we are all just people who love art and like to encourage each other and share ideas.

“Art can be very therapeutic and relaxing and it’s also a great way to meet new people so we would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.”

The grant was awarded from the Community Benefit Fund, which is donated by Cestria, part of the Isos Group, and administered by the County Durham Community Foundation.

The Chester-le-Street Art Society was established in 1969 with members meeting every Tuesday morning at the town’s Community Association in Newcastle Road.

There is no formal teaching but members learn from each other and occasional demonstrations of new products and techniques are held.

Exhibitions of members’ work are held for a week every Spring and Autumn at Chester-le-Street Library, with the next taking place from Saturday November 21.

For more information contact Olive Norwood on 0191 410 3353.