A COMMUNITY group in a former mining community is celebrating after getting a £10,000 grant to support a cafe providing healthy food and themed evenings for residents.

Coalfields Regeneration Trust has awarded the cash to the Quaking Houses Village Hall Association, in the village near Stanley, to to help its T-Junction Cafe which launched in 2013.

The cash will go towards employing a cafe manager and kitchen assistant.

Management team member June Hendry said: “The venue has been a huge success with people coming from the local area and beyond to take advantage of its relaxed atmosphere.

“Like many organisations that run for the benefit of others, we struggle with funding so we can’t thank the Coalfields Regeneration Trust enough.”

Andy Lock, head of operations for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in England, said: “Organisations like the T-Junction Café make a real and lasting impact on the local community, not only do they provide excellent quality food at a great price, but they also give people somewhere to go to meet each other."

For more detail about the Coalfields Community Grants programme please visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk.