Computer lessons for older people and a partnership for a safer town are included in a scheme aimed at revitalising communities.

The North-East Regional Assembly has also made overcoming social deprivation a key target. It is hoping to boost its prospects of success by spreading the message about innovative community projects.

The assembly's portfolio of 30 projects in its Examples in Excellence scheme, which was launched yesterday, include: Derwentside community website; Hartlepool's safer town partnership; Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project; North-East Museum and Library Service's work to get socially excluded communities involved in the arts and Anchor Trust's Hartlepool project to encourage older people to make a more active part in local decision making.

Joe Mills, chairman of the assembly's social issues forum, said: "There are a lot of people who are socially excluded in the region living in pockets of deprivation and people are suffering because of it.

"We are trying to get the local authorities and the decision makers to pick up these examples of good practice and see if we can apply it to other parts of the region," said Mr Mills, who is also chairman of Sunderland Health Authority.

The assembly project was launched at Briardale Community and Training Centre, in Blyth, Northumberland, where elderly people have been given help with their gardens, a gardening tool library has been set up and an organic vegetable plot has been created to provide fresh produce for its caf.

If you have an innovative community project you would like to see included in the Examples of Excellence portfolio contact Elaine Wallace on 0191-261-7388