A SCHEME to help people into work on Darlington's Firthmoor estate may be extended, a meeting was told.

The Firthmoor Into Work project was due to finish in March next year, but Diane Woodcock, from the scheme, told the estate's community partnership board that extra funding was being sought.

"We are hoping to get some additional European funding," she said. "We are looking at trying to look longer term and have got a couple of options."

The scheme, based at Maidendale House community centre, has seen unemployment levels on the estate drop by almost half. So far, 171 people who have signed up for help have found new jobs.