SEVEN community groups across County Durham are to benefit from more than £600,000 of National Lottery grants.

In total, 24 community groups in the North-East have been awarded £2.2m in the latest round of grants from the Community Fund.

The largest grant in County Durham was £195,000 to Belmont Parish Hall Association for the building of a village hall. As well as contributing towards the cost of the construction of the hall, the grant will also cover the salary for a part-time centre manager

Teesdale Day Clubs, which offers a wide range of activities for elderly people in nine locations across the dale, was awarded £167,000. The grant will enable them to carry on running for another three years.

The Day Clubs' track record in combating isolation among older people was an important factor towards its success in obtaining the award.

Pat Asquith, of Teesdale Day Clubs, said: "This is wonderful news for our organisation. Teesdale Day Clubs look after so many older people, giving them a social life and a focus. We are thrilled that we can keep the activities going for another three years, which will give us the chance to look for more permanent funding."

Great Lumley Youth Club and Youth Project was given £33,322 to develop activities for young people in the area.

Waldridge Fell Village Hall Association, in Chester-le-Street, was given £26,000 to help with the refurbishment of the hall.

Tantobie Association for Sport and the Community was awarded £26,000 for an after- school computer club

Brandon Youth Project was given £19,428 for its work with young people in the area. Easington District Communicare, was awarded £132,922 for a shopmobility scheme to enable less mobile residents to access Peterlee town centre.