POLICE and the fire service have shared out cash raised at their fireworks show to eight County Durham causes.

About 10,000 people visited the bonfire and fireworks night at police headquarters at Aykley Heads, Durham, last year. The event was organised by Durham Constabulary and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and once the costs of the night had been met, they were left £5,000.

The money has been shared out between:

* The children's ward at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. It was awarded money to buy insulin pumps for young people with diabetes. The devices means they do not need injections to administer the insulin, which some children need up to six times a day.

* The children's unit at the University Hospital of North Durham.

* Bishop Auckland Cycling Club, to buy new racing bikes and club clothing for junior members and to develop its work with local schools.

* Lingey Farm Residents' Association in Sacriston, near Durham, to buy furniture and equipment for a new community house.

* Newton Aycliffe's Social Resource Centre, to support vulnerable, young people with learning difficulties or mental health problems.

* Air cadets from Durham and Northumberland, who are travelling to Normandy this June to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-day landings and undertake a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.

* The North-East branch of NCH, formerly known as the National Children's Home.

* The Real Lives: Real Choices charity, based in Lanchester, which promotes the rights of adults with learning disabilities.

Each group was awarded £500 and four grants of £250 were made to Marie Curie Cancer Care, Durham Trinity School, for children with learning difficulties, Spennymoor Youth Theatre and Willowburn Hospice in Lanchester.