COMMUNITY and voluntary groups working with young people in Darlington are being urged to have their share of £100,000 of funding.

The money is available to support a host of schemes and projects in the borough, but is standing largely untouched because of a lack of applications.

Joanne Anderson, of the County Durham Foundation, which administers the Local Network Fund (LNF), said the money could be lost if the take-up did not increase during the year.

"It could be that the money is given to other districts or decreased in future years if it is felt it is not needed in Darlington," she said.

"I'm sure there are community groups working with young people that aren't aware that the money is available, and I hope they get in touch."

The money is for groups that help children achieve their goals, improve their standards of living, provide valuable support and advice and give them a voice.

The LNF, which has been running for four years, has already helped a number of organisations in the town, with grants of between £250 and £7,000,

Grange Road Action for Youth (Grafy) has received more than £11,000 in total from the fund, with the latest £6,000 grant helping to refurbish the drop-in centre, Top Deck, at the corner of Borough Road.

The centre is free to all youngsters aged between 11 and 18. It provides a place to socialise, access a computer and watch television four evenings a week.

It also organises activity days and holidays and runs a Saturday Club.

Morag Coates, Grafy project co-ordinator, said: "We don't get any statutory funding so these grants are gifts from heaven.

"The money has been very accessible and has helped us organise trips to the Lake District and decorate and refurbish the centre with new carpets and chairs."

The Darlington Sikh Temple was recently awarded £4,460 to allow young people to visit a Sikh temple in London, and Darlington Community Carnival received £1,670 to pay for two artists and materials to work with young people.

For more information about the grants contact Darlington CVS on (01325) 266888, or the County Durham Foundation on 0191-383 0055. Applications are processed within six weeks.