COMMUNITY groups and charities in the North-East are celebrating after receiving almost £1.75m.

Fifteen groups have benefited from the Community Fund which receives 4.7p out of every £1 spent on the National Lottery.

Carers Together received £97,928 to help to provide an accessible service for carers in Eston, South Bank, Grangetown, Teesville, Normanby and West Redcar.

Charity spokesman Sue Reeves said: "This grant will make a huge difference as currently we have no workers in this patch.

"This money will help us to raise the profile of people who care, and encourage people who do not think of themselves as carers to access our help."

Three regional organisations also received funding.

The North of England Refugee Service, based in Newcastle, received £219,868; The Percy Hedley Foundation, at North Tyneside, for people with cerebral palsy, received £120,932 and European Services for People with Autism received £190,679.

Other groups to benefit include Stockton Blind People's Voice, which received £142,595 to help to improve the quality of life and access to information for blind and visually impaired people.

Middlesbrough Shopmobility got £74,000 to fund their manager and produce publicity information and the Cleveland Family Mediation Service received £24,000 towards their work supporting the children of couples going through divorce.

The Albert Centre on Teesside received £58,513 to fund an alcohol and drugs health worker in the Thornaby area.

Newcastle Women's Aid was awarded £210,557 to secure accommodation for women and their children fleeing domestic violence.

The Unity Organisation, which aims to eliminate racial discrimination in Sunderland, received £87,650.

In County Durham, the Wheatley Hill Community Association got £300,000 towards extending and refurbishing the community centre and Delves Lane Community Association received £45,000 for a caretaker and Blackhall Community Association received £69,500 for a development worker.