A GROUP which helps establish out-of-school clubs is celebrating after receiving a substantial grant.

Tarka, an umbrella organisation which represents clubs across County Durham, has been awarded almost £24,000 by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The Coxhoe organisation, which in August celebrated its fifth anniversary, supports the 100 after-school clubs set up in the county over the past decade.

The award, which will go towards conference and equipment costs, is one of 12 grants totalling £174,800 made by the trust in the region during its latest round of grant giving.

The trust's North-East regeneration manager Anna White said: "As a charity, we support community activities that bring people together.

"We encourage people to take a more active part in regenerating their local areas and this is reflected in the way grants are awarded."