A SUPERMARKET chain has given various grants to support local charities.

A donation of £500 was awarded to the Talking Newspaper by the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend fund, to enable the charity to provide the service on CD.

The free newspaper is circulated to more than 700 partially-sighted or blind people throughout the North-East.

Linda Curtis, director of the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially-Sighted, said: "There are over 3,500 blind or partially-sighted people in the county.

"For many of our listeners, the Talking Newspaper is the only link with other visually-impaired people who share common problems."

The Co-op committee considers applications to the scheme six times each year, and has also awarded a £500 grant to Busy Ape Arts for their Nightlights craft project for youths in the Derwentside area.

Also, North East Disabled Motorists Club and Hilda Park Junior FC received grants of £500, and a spring bulb planting scheme by Croxdale Residents' Association received £215.

In total, in the first six months of this year, £123,457 has been awarded by the committee to 265 local organisations.

If any more information is required, contact Suzanne Heron on (0191) 477 0291.