ALMOST £140,000 has been handed out to communities across the North-East to help regenerate former coal-mining areas.

The latest wave of grants from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust has seen money given to 23 projects across the region.

These include £8,581 given to the Wheatley Hill and District Community Association in County Durham to refurbish the kitchen.

Kitchen facilities will also be set up with a £10,000 grant to Excellent Ethnic Cuisine Limited, in South Shields, South Tyneside. The kitchen will enable the business to deliver training opportunities in catering in the area.

The East Durham Play and Community Network in Trimdon has been given £10,000 to fund a worker to help play provision.

The Friends of Hylton Castle Primary School, Sunderland, have been awarded £5,186 to help with running costs of a breakfast club for schoolchildren.

More than £9,640 was awarded to the Craghead Area Partnership in South Stanley to buy new office equipment and help pay towards a support worker.

The group offers training, employment opportunities and first-class facilities to attract more employers to the Craghead area.

The Hetton Town Trust in Hetton-le-Hole was awarded £5,000 to buy a clear casing for its banner, which can then be put on permanent display. The group provides a centre for recreational, social and educational activities for people in the area.

The South Hetton Community Partnership was given £2,115 for a village gala day, which was held on August 21.