ETHNIC communities in the North-East are set to benefit from a £920,145 Government boost.

Four projects in Stockton, Gateshead, South Shields and Sunderland will receive the area's share of £15.16m to help isolated men and women from minority ethnic groups.

The money, announced today, will fund 75 projects nationwide over three years.

All the schemes will encourage different communities and faiths to work together to build relations and celebrate ethnic achievements.

In Stockton, Teesside, the International Family Centre will be given £120,000 to help it develop projects to increase understanding between different faiths in the town.

Sharon Barker, the operations manager for the centre, said: "We are a black minority ethnic voluntary sector organisation and we offer help to all people from six-weeks-old upwards.

"We offer training, education and activities and we have a job-link facility and free Internet access for people to use.

"We work with mainstream communities as well as people seeking asylum and refugees.

"More than 2,000 people have been involved in our health project, which offers help to people on how to access health information and we also give training on health matters."

The Gateshead Interfaith Forum, which celebrates the achievements and contribution made by minority ethnic communities, will receive £157,334.

In Sunderland, £275,320 will be used by the city's Bangladeshi Community Centre to encourage ethnic minorities to make better use of statutory services.

The South Tyneside Training and Enterprise Network in South Shields, which works to develop basic skills among minority communities members, has been awarded £367,491.

Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart said: "The Government is committed to creating a cohesive society, where we promote equality and diversity, and safe and strong communities for all.

"These projects are encouraging people to get more involved in their communities and gain new skills to fulfil their potential.

"Celebrating local achievements helps tackle racist and negative stereotyping and can help give people a real sense of belonging."