GROUPS in East Durham are being urged to apply for grants from the National Lottery.
The former pit area of Easington has one of the lowest levels of applications for Heritage Lottery Fund money in the country.
Officials hope to reverse the trend and will visit the area next week to encourage more groups to apply. They want voluntary, community, youth or heritage groups who have plans, or are thinking about a project that might need funding, to get in touch.
Rachel Ward, the fund's development manager for the North-East, said: "We want to know what local people think makes their area or community special.
"There's often a misconception that heritage is just about museums and historic buildings, but it's not.
"Heritage can also encompass wildlife, traditions, culture, memories and local industries such as mining.
Three sessions will be held at Murton, Easington Village and Seaham for other groups with possible projects to discuss them with fund officers.
For more information and to book a place at the sessions call the region's Heritage Lottery Fund team on 0191-255 7570.
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