THE future of a community centre is assured in coming years, thanks to funding from the Northern Rock Foundation.

Despite the crisis surrounding the North-East bank, its charitable foundation has pledged to continue to support worthy causes in the region, albeit with fewer available funds.

Dawdon Community Centre, in Seaham, applied for funding from the foundation shortly before news emerged of the Northern Rock's financial difficulties last autumn.

Centre development manager Mike Russell said the foundation has proved a valuable help in recent years.

The latest £86,800 awarded to the Queen Alexandra Road centre will help support its Adventure Club scheme, attended by up to 150 youngsters, luncheon clubs, a mother and toddler group, plus sessions staged to assist victims of domestic violence, bullying and smoking addiction.

Youngsters who attend Seaham School of Technology can attend GCSE revision classes, and IT facilities at the centre are available for community use.

Mr Russell said: "The foundation has been very good to us over the years and it's done a lot of good work. We could be one of the last groups to be funded."

He hoped bank customers would recognise the worthwhile support from the foundation.