COUNCILLORS in Darlington have agreed to requests for financial assistance from eight organisations in the borough, totalling £1,750.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the cabinet awarded the Born to Dance studio in Parkgate £400 towards the cost of taking 50 pupils to perform at Her Majesty's Theatre, in London.

The dancers are due to take part in the Children's Variety Show on September 14 and the studio needs to raise about £5,000 to cover transport, accommodation and costume expenses.

The Eastbourne Cardinals American flag football club received £200 towards the cost of a new strip. The club is competing in the British championships in Glasgow tomorrow.

Three over-60s clubs - Birches Community Centre, Haven Community Centre and The Wednesday Club, based at Wesley Court - were granted £200 each to help pay for summer outings and activities. Sir ED Walker Homes Goodwill Club also received a grant of £150.

Neasham Reading Room was awarded £100 towards its insurance costs, while Durham Victoria County History Trust received £300 for the launch yesterday of a paperback book The Townscape of Darlington.