A BAKERY company has awarded grants totalling £78,000 to three community projects in the North-East.

Greggs Trust, the charitable arm of Greggs plc, has pledged the money to Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise Ltd (Cable), in Darlington, the West End Refugee Service, in Newcastle, and The Junction, in Redcar.

The biggest sum, £33,000, will be given to the refugee service to provide support for asylum seekers and refugees living in Newcastle's West End over the next three years.

Cable, which provides information and advice for learning and work opportunities for people in Darlington, has been given £30,000 over the same period.

A total of £15,000 is going to The Junction, which provides support and counselling for young people aged 25 and under. Jenni Wagstaff, manager of Greggs Trust, said it was the first time it had supported Cable and The Junction.

"The Junction seems to have built up a good reputation amongst young people and agencies for being able to help address problems of a practical and emotional nature," she said. "We are very pleased to be supporting all these worthwhile initiatives."