A TABLE tennis club has been awarded a grant to run a coaching programme for people with poor health and disabilities.

Brandon and Byshottles Table Tennis Club, in Durham, has been awarded £5,338 from the Coalfield Community Investment Programme to run coaching for people with Alzheimers and wheelchair users,

Te money will be used to buy specialist equipment, including a Polybat designed for people with disabilities.

John Spencer. funding officer with the table tennis club, said: “Thanks to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust we can not only cater for people of all ages, but now we can welcome people of all abilities to take part in our activities and games, including those that aren’t able to play using regular equipment.

“We look forward to welcoming more members to the club and supporting them in improving their fitness and table tennis skills.”

Andy Lock, from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, added: “It is no secret that many coalfield communities are within the 30 per cent most deprived in the country and ill health is a serious issue for the people living in these areas.

“Thanks to organisations like Brandon and Byshottles Table Tennis Club, that are doing all they can to improve the health of people in the community, we can work together to tackle this issue head on.”