A VOLUNTARY group has been awarded £127,000 over three years to support those making a positive move away from substance abuse and crime towards training and employment.

The cash deal for the Tyne and Wear Mentoring Service was announced yesterday by Home Office active community minister Angela Eagle.

Under the fund, voluntary and community groups across the UK can get money to enhance or extend mentoring projects.

Ms Eagle said: "I am delighted that groups in Tyne and Wear will get £127,000 to develop mentoring here in the North-East.

"We want people who might need encouragement and extra support to have it.

"This could be helping a child at school or helping someone to kick a drug habit.

"The personal commitment that mentors bring, because they want to do this, can mean more to an individual person than any amount of money.