A CHARITY furniture scheme that helps needy families to fit out their homes was launched yesterday.

The County Durham Furniture Help Scheme was opened by project chairman Councillor Vince Crosby at its base, a unit on Chilton Industrial Estate.

Volunteers, who have been running a less formal project in the Sedgefield area, extended the project after they secured a permanent base thanks to start-up grants from the County Durham Foundation and Awards For All.

The project collects unwanted furniture in good condition from local people. It is passed on to families and individuals either on low income or benefits, recommended by a growing number of referral agencies.

Project co-ordinator Christopher Palmer said: "We are all very excited about how the project has grown. The official launch is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the volunteers and their advisors. They should be very proud."

For details of the scheme, contact Mr Palmer on (01388) 721509.