A CONTRACT to provide job-related training for adults with learning disabilities has been won by a North Yorkshire charity.

The £54,000 contract has been awarded to Chopsticks through JobCentre Plus, which is co-financing the initiative with European social funding.

The contract will require Chopsticks, which last year launched an appeal to raise £850,000 to buy land and acquire purpose-built premises in Northallerton, to provide training in woodworking, retail and horticulture for 30 adults.

The skills to be included in the training will encourage motivation and build confidence and self-esteem. Three groups selected from Hambleton and Richmondshire will be trained between now and March next year.

To help deliver the training, Chopsticks, whose members convert five tonnes of scrap timber into packaged firewood every week, has recruited two additional staff and rented an industrial unit in Northallerton.

Development officer Colin Walker said: "The funding will all be used in fulfilling the contract.

"We still require substantial public and corporate support to enable us to reach our new-premises appeal target.

"It is essential that we achieve this to ensure our long-term survival so we can continue to provide valuable services for people with learning difficulties and other disadvantaged groups in the local community.

"This contract is an important boost for Chopsticks and illustrates that we are being recognised for our work and that our new-premises appeal deserves support."

Chopsticks, which has boosted firewood production by investing in more sophisticated machinery, also provides a low-cost gardening service for the elderly and disabled and work placements for the unemployed.

There are now plans to increase restoration and sales of wooden pallets and to expand in to recycling of other waste products in line with Government initiatives.

The charity launched its new-premises appeal last year to further develop its services to the community in line with demand and provide more work opportunities for more people.

The appeal is being supported by Thirsk design build company Severfield-Reeve Projects.

Managing director Lindsay Ross said the awarding of the new contract demonstrated the importance of the charity's work.