A CREDIT union is receiving help with its expansion plan from a community grant scheme.

Cestria Credit Union received £500 from the North-Eastern Co-op community dividend scheme.

The money will be used to buy new office equipment as the organisation continues to grow.

Cestria Credit Union serves the communities of Chester-le-Street and Birtley offering low interest rate loans and savings.

The organisation has 700 members including a number of juniors and operates ten collection points in Chester-le-Street, Birtley, Ouston and Grange Villa with plans to open new ones in Sacriston and Pelton.

This coupled with the increasing size of the credit union had led to a need for new office equipment including a computer, copier and fax machine, printer, shelving and a shredder.