A PROJECT aimed at keeping traditional handicrafts alive has been commemorated in a wall hanging created by a North Yorkshire community.

The Colburn Craft and Chat Club won a £4,500 Millennium grant from Age Concern to help pass on sewing, cooking and homemaking skills to younger people - and the cash was invested in a year of workshops for local people.

One of the results was the wall hanging, now on permanent display in Colburn Village Hall after it was unveiled by chairman of Richmondshire District Council, Councillor Jane Metcalfe.

The work depicts images from Colburn past and present. Central to the design is an oak tree, based on one which used to stand at the entrance of Colburn school.

"This is a wonderful project, which has served to bridge the gap between the generations," said Coun Metcalfe. "Many crafts, including knitting and sewing, are in danger of being lost and it is important we keep them alive."

The workshops were organised by Kay Lerigo of Colburn's Fair Play for Kids - which provides crche facilities - together with Gill Davies of Age Concern and Judith Bromfield of Health Promotion Services.

Other projects carried out at the workshops included the assembly of "story sacks", each of which is based on a popular children's book and contains items relating to the tale.

The sacks are now available for public use at Colburn's Toy Library.