A DARLINGTON estate's play workers have learnt that their jobs are safe for the next 12 months.

But at a meeting of Red Hall Partnership this week, members heard that in order to ensure their long-term future the play workers would have to prove their worth to secure funding.

In February, there were fears that the play workers would be out of a job at the end of last month because of changes in the way that the Government funds the Children's Fund, which runs the scheme.

This caused concern among residents on the estate who have seen the benefits of the after-school, weekend and holiday activities provided under the scheme with a notable reduction in anti-social behaviour.

This week the partnership heard from Dan Connolly, of the Children's Fund, who said that the focus of the organisation's business plan was to make activities for youngsters on the estate permanent.

Mr Connolly said: "It is about providing something permanent on Red Hall and if we are going to do that, we need to have proof to show potential funders why this scheme should stay."

The partnership pledged its support to the scheme after discussing how important it was for the community.