A FOOTBALL Club, which complained after cash from housing developers went to another sports club in its town, has been given council support.

Wear Valley District Council is handing over £990 to Tow Law FC, to buy new strips, tracksuits, shirts and footballs.

The club has a new under-18 team, which competes in the Durham County Lomax league and tries to encourage young people into sport and community activities.

Tow Law councillor Jeff Gale said: "This is great news for the club and Tow Law.

"Wear Valley has a long tradition of supporting locally-based sport, and I am pleased to have been able to help the club, as they do an excellent job within the community."

The club spoke out when all of the £58,200 allocated to Tow Law from money handed over by housing developers was spent at a recreation centre and the Naismith Mews Sports Complex.

Committee members said they needed financial help to develop their clubhouse and improve disabled access at their Ironworks Road ground.

Since the row, councillors have agreed a new system for sharing cash which is handed over to the council by developers.