A GRANT of £500 is helping a North Yorkshire charity to publicise its work.

Interactive Whitby and District provides play and leisure activities for able-bodied and disabled youngsters as well as respite care and support for their families and carers.

As a result of the award from the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend fund, the organisation has bought multi-purpose display boards.

Their first planned use is a display in local secondary schools offering volunteering opportunities to help in the planning and development of services.

Administrator Helen Panconi said: "The boards will be an invaluable resource for our organisation, increasing awareness of our services and enabling us to reach and meet the needs of more families in the community."

* In the past 12 months more than £140,000 has been donated to community projects across the region through the Co-op's community dividend fund.

Application forms for the scheme are available from food stores or by calling 0191- 477 0291.