A VILLAGE community association is offering free courses for the new year.

In August, Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Association secured £5,000 from the National Lottery's Awards for All fund to pay for learning opportunities for people in Cockfield and Evenwood.

Already, successful courses in the likes of basic computing and Spanish have been delivered and the community association is hoping to organise many more.

The association has been working with the village development worker and Bishop Auckland College.

Danielle Barnes, one of the people behind the project, said: "We have been really pleased with the courses so far and a lot of people, particularly in Evenwood, have shown a great deal of interest in taking part.

"Lets hope that with the New Year we can attract some new learners."

Three courses are due to start in January, including a ten-week accredited Spanish course, an accredited food hygiene course and a non-accredited stress relief and relaxation taster course.

All courses are free. To book a place, call Ms Barnes on (07821) 043239 from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.