MORE than 100 people have taken training to help former coalfield communities.

About 120 residents of former pit areas received Millennium Commission money, channelled through the County Durham Foundation.

It has allowed them to learn skills that will help breathe new life into the places where they live.

Ray Tones, 73, of Belmont, Durham, the oldest recipient, is involved with the appeal by St Mary Magdalene Church to build a community hall that will cost more than £500,000.

Mr Tones took a computer course at New College Durham and next plans to sit the European Driving Licence.

He hopes his new skills will enable him to co-ordinate activities in the new community centre.

"Having never had a computer in my hand, my sole aim was to become computer literate.

"I haven't done this for any personal gain, for job prospects,'' he said.

He is also volunteering at the Pelaw View Centre, on Durham's Sherburn Road Estate, to obtain an insight into running a community centre.

Mr Tones now hopes to develop skills in graphics production so he can produce publicity material for the Belmont centre when it opens.

Millennium Award scheme co-ordinator Melanie Caldwell said: "All the award winners have worked really hard to ensure the success of the programme.

"We hope they will use the skills gained during their award to benefit their local communities in the future."