MONEY generated at a community music festival has been handed over to two charities in a north Durham town.

Thousands of pounds was raised at the third annual Consett Festival, which featured live music, children’s rides and stalls, at the town’s football club last month.

Organiser Brad Wilkinson said a total of £3,200 is going towards charity with the rest being reinvested in the event next year.

He has handed over £1,000 to be shared equally between the leukaemia charity, Bright Red, and the Consett and District Branch of the Royal British Legion.

Mr Wilkinson said: “It is great to be a in a position to be able to support charities in the town.

“We are not looking to make money out of the festival. We just need to be able to do it again next year. There is nowhere better for the spare cash to go then to local charities.”

Billy Robson, chief executive of Consett YMCA, accepted the money on behalf of Bright Red as it is going towards the Lee Robson Patient Care Grant scheme, which was set up in memory of his son who died from the disease.

George McKay, the legion’s branch chairman, said the money would be used to help veterans in the local area.