A CHARITY that helps thousands of people across the North-East, Yorkshire and Lancashire to find new opportunities in life has won national recognition.

Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities (DISC) was highly commended in the prestigious national Charity Awards.

DISC was one of three finalists short listed in the research, advice and support category for developing partnerships with other charities to combat deprivation and promote social inclusion.

The charity started as a training scheme for young unemployed people in Durham city centre in 1984.

It has grown into a regional charity with a £12m turnover, 380 staff, 130 volunteers and is now based in Spennymoor, County Durham.

The charity was praised for running programmes that enable people whose lives are in crisis due to poor housing, substance misuse, family breakdown, low skills and criminal records to fulfil their potential.

The Charity Awards are the highlight of the year for the voluntary sector and the 10th annual ceremony in London last week attracted a record number of entries from Britain's 168,000 charities.

DISC director, Mark Weeding, said: "It's a huge achievement to get to the finals and we are delighted to see all our hard work recognised.

"We are committed to offering people who have fallen through the net of statutory provision the support they need where they need it and when they need it, and to working with all of our skilled and committed partners on projects which benefit the community."