DOZENS of churches in Darlington have joined forces to help people with problems because of the economic downturn and resulting austerity measures.

Churches Together combines the resources of more than 30 churches with the initial goal of promoting a "good neighbourly" attitude.

Phil Hillsdon, chairman of the group, said its goals did not need to be complicated and he hoped to encourage people to be good neighbours.

Future ventures in the pipeline included debt counselling, Christmas lunches for the homeless, workshops for the unemployed and litter picks.

The group has enlisted the help of organisations including Darlington Borough Council, Citizens' Advice Bureau and the Credit Union.

Mr Hillsdon said: "In real terms we are at the start of something. We wanted to say to people they can make a difference.

"It will take everybody to make a difference, especially in these times of austerity."

He said the group believed the church had to take a lead on the role it had always traditionally done, especially as government money was withdrawn and services axed to help relieve hardship in their local communities.

Mr Hillsdon added: "It is no longer just a responsibility of local government or even the church. It is a task for all of us in the communities in which we live, to be kind, considerate and helpful to all those around us. It is our belief in a living God that through his son, Jesus Christ, we are compelled to act.

"A kind word to a lonely person, collecting shopping for someone housebound or a chance for someone homeless to have a hotmeal can be a lifeline.

"We are saying, let's get into our communities, get involved and start transforming lives and areas, with the love of Jesus at the centre of all we do.

"Already it is not uncommon to see cafes within church buildings open on weekdays, mums and toddlers groups being managed and run by churches, food banks and furniture schemes in operation, Darlington Credit Union and national debt charities being run from churches, but we feel there is still much more we can and more importantly want to do in our communities."