THE Archbishop of York launched a new £1m fund to tackle poverty during a visit to the North-East.

Dr John Sentamu was shown round Handcrafted, a Christian project providing work-focused training, in Durham City on Wednesday (February 19).

The visit was to launch a new £1m Together Grants programme to support Christian anti-poverty schemes throughout England, backed by the Church Urban Fund.

The Archbishop said: “The Church of England can be very proud of the Church Urban Fund and the work that is done to support the poorest in our society.

“I am delighted to launch this new £1m Together Grants programme. We are called to bring good news to the poor and the Church Urban Fund helps make this a reality.”

Handcrafted provides for people suffering through crime, unemployment, alcohol and substance misuse and has previously received Church Urban Fund backing.

Dr Sentamu also joined the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, for a discussion about Christian-Jewish relations.