A YEAR since a North-East charity collapsed amid financial problems, the Charities Commission is continuing its efforts to wind up its affairs.

Darlington's Dial-a-Ride charity, which offered a taxi service to the elderly and disabled, ceased operating on February 25 last year.

The charity initially blamed its problems on an increase in fuel and council charges that it could not afford to pay.

The Charities Commission began an investigation, working with Darlington police, into Dial-a-Ride last June.

Following police charges against the financial director of the charity, Charles Smith, of Woodland Road, Darlington, the Charities Commission began to work to wind up the charity.

Speaking yesterday, a spokeswoman for the commission said: "Work is continuing with the trustees to wind up the charity, but we do not have a framework for how long this will take."

Mr Smith, a former Tory councillor, has appeared in court charged with fraudulent trading and failing to keep accounting records in connection to the charity.

He has pleaded not guilty to fraudulent trading, but has yet to enter a plea in connection to the other charge.

Darlington Borough Council stepped in to provide an alternative service for the town when Dial-a-Ride folded.

Ring-a-Ride, which has no connections to the old service, is run by the Darlington and District Youth and Community Association and is staffed by volunteers.