ELDERLY residents across the region could benefit from a share of £70million Lottery money.

The fund has been set up to support projects that encourage older people to get involved in decision-making in their local area so that improvements can be made to help elderly residents.

100 Local Authority areas, including selected parts of County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, and Middlesbrough, have been identified as areas where older people are at greatest risk of isolation and these regions are being particularly encouraged to bid for funding.

Nat Sloane, Big Lottery Fund England chair, said: “The Big Lottery Fund is turning what is a threat into a positive by placing older people in the driving seat of change."

The money will come from the Big Lottery Fund’s Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better programme which will award between £2m and £6m in around 15 to 20 local areas, over a period of up to six years.

Eligible local authority areas are being invited to submit an expression of interest by May 17 and more information can be found at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.