A CENTRE at the heart of its community has been given a major donation to help it provide training and support.

The Old Co Op Building in Loftus, east Cleveland, acts as a community hub and social meeting place for all members of the community.

It is also home to the South Bank Savings and Credit Union, providing advice to local people on financial issues.

The community hub provides a range of services, from welfare rights advice and job search to adult classes in dress making and painting as well as decorating and computer classes.

Now it has been given a £5,000 donation from the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility, set up last year to provide advice and financial support to charities that are helping people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds, to learn new skills.

It was founded by North-East Entrepreneur David Harrison, who grew up in County Durham and runs one of Europe's fastest growing financial technology businesses, True Potential. The grant for Loftus Community Hub will enable it meet running costs and install a new heating system.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP, Simon Clarke, who gave a tour of the Co op building to a friend of Mr Harrison in the summer, said he was pleased at the 'hugely generous donation supporting one of the very best social enterprises in east Cleveland.