PEOPLE in Seaham are getting the chance to vote on which community safety projects in the area get a slice of £26,000 funding.

They range from addiction helplines and local parks to sports coaching and summer camps.

The 16 schemes, with up to £4,000 for each successful applicant, will be voted on at a special session at Seaham Youth Centre from 10am to 32pm on Saturday 17 January .

The event is organised by East Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP) and Durham Constabulary.

People living, working, volunteering or being educated in the Seaham area, including children over the age of 11, will be able to vote on the three projects they think will make the most difference.

Funding has come from Durham Constabulary (£10,000), the Government’s “Our Place” programme for local neighbourhoods (£10,000) and £6,000 from the neighbourhood budgets of local county councillors.

Priorities for the projects include providing activities for young people, supporting vulnerable people and reducing crime.

Shealagh Pearce, principle AAP co-ordinator, said: “This is a fantastic occasion for local projects to showcase their work and ask the residents of Seaham to allocate funding to deliver local community projects that will make a positive contribution to the area.

Durham Constabulary head of neighbourhoods and partnerships Chief Superintendent Ivan Wood said: “We have worked closely with the council over the last 12 months to work with residents to improve opportunities in the area.

“This is a great opportunity for people in Seaham to decide what they would like in their community.”

The projects are:Deneside Explorers; Get Creative in Your Community; Camp Champions; Our Park, Our Area; Engaging with Youths Using Sports and Activities; Somat Fishy; The Mingle and Munch Bunch; 24 Hour Helpline and Drop-In; Skills for Sustainability; Seaham Reconnect; Active Play; Volunteers Recruitment, Training and Support; Fun Fridays; Spread the Word; Seaham Park Cricket Club and Chill Out Project.