THOUSANDS of pounds have been awarded to North-East veterans to celebrate their role in the Second World War.

Concerts, street parties and variety of events will be staged all over the region thanks to money from the Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Durham City branch of the Durham Light Infantry Association has been awarded £9,500 to hold a commemorative dinner for its members and various other groups, followed by entertainment.

Grangetown Primary School in Middlesbrough has received £1,600 to visit Eden Camp museum, while Teesside Play and Education Resource Centre, in Middlesbrough, got £5,450 for a commemoration project.

Big Lottery Fund's North-East manager, Tim Davies-Pugh, said: "We want to recognise the contributions made by millions of people both on the frontline and home front.

"Whether they were building planes, putting out fires, breaking codes or looking after evacuees, they played a part in the success of the war effort."