A CLUB that teaches young people how to survive in the wild has been awarded charitable status.

The move means that The Pilgrim Club, in Shildon, can expand its services to children throughout Sedgefield Borough and the wider area.

Club founder John Cutting said: "This is a big step forward for us. This will enable us to access funds that we would not be able to get at otherwise. It also means that it recognises what the club has done so far.''

The Pilgrim Club was set up just over a year ago and has now established itself in the community. It has a permanent home at The Resthouse, in Hackworth Park, where it meets each week.

The club offers activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and often takes groups away on adventure breaks.

Recently it held its first under-14 camp at Ellerton Lake, in North Yorkshire.

In two weeks, the under-12s will have their second wild camp.

They will learn camp craft and outdoor living skills, as well as experiencing how to build shelters, learning the principles of fire lighting and cooking on an open fire, and identifying and cooking wild food.

Mr Cutting said: "The Pilgrim Club has come a long way since it started. It is now giving these youngsters opportunities that they would have never dreamed of.''