A CHARITY that provides home comforts to people in need has been re-launched after an expansion of the service.

The Action Care Team for Spennymoor (Acts) celebrated achieving charitable status and a cash windfall.

A £90,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Community Recycling and Economic development programme has enabled the scheme to expand into bigger premises, buy a new van and employ two staff.

The scheme, which collects unwanted furniture and household appliances and redistributes it to those in need locally, has taken over the entire basement of the New Life Christian Centre, in Spennymoor.

A driver and handyman assist around six volunteers who have run the initiative for three years.

Project manager Anne Poppleton said: "It is wonderful to be able to expand as our service is very popular and helps a lot of people in and around Spennymoor."

Linda Wilkinson-Morson, of Stonham Housing, which supports vulnerable young people in new tenancies, said Acts is invaluable to many of the people she works with.

She said: "They help people make a home feel secure and comfortable, which is very important, especially when holding down a job, training or studies.

"It offers stability and assistance for people who need an extra helping hand to buy home comforts."