A charity providing vital support for elderly people in Darlington is set to expand after securing a major funding boost.

Age Concern is opening up new premises in Clark's Yard, off High Row, as an information and advice centre, following the award of a £105,000 National Lottery grant.

The money from the Big Lottery Fund will be used to develop the premises, which the charity acquired some time ago but never opened, into a facility offering the specialist services.

The "one-stop shop" is due to open in January next year, although at least one case worker will be appointed this year.

Services provided will include advice on benefits and other financial issues.

Chairman of the charity's board of trustees, Charles Johnson, said gaining the grant was "a very satisfying result for the hard work carried out over many months by chief officer Geoffrey Crute and his staff".

Mr Johnson added: "We never opened the Clark's Yard site before. That plan went into limbo due to a lack of resources.

"But now the money is available we're going to press ahead with it and we will be taking on at least one case worker in 2004.

"We're lining up a contractor to get in there and sort the interior out fairly soon.

Insurance, finance and benefits advice that older people sometimes have difficulty actually accessing will all move into Clark's Yard. We're delighted it's all going ahead."

Age Concern's other premises in the town - at Bradbury House in Beaumont Street - will continue to operate.

Mr Johnson said: "Bradbury House will be focusing on core services and leisure services for older people."

The development is a welcome boost for the charity, which was hit by job losses earlier this year.

Officials announced a major re-organisation in April, with the closure of its Pop-In restaurant at Bradbury House leading to five people being made redundant.

The shake-up of services left the Clark's Yard plans on hold, but they have now been revived.