A Newton Aycliffe carers' centre has been awarded a grant of almost £75,000 to employ an extra worker.

The grant from the Lottery Community Fund will allow the Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre to employ a mental health carers' support worker for three years.

The centre provides support and information for people who care for someone who has an illness or disability within Sedgefield borough.

This award will help provide specific support for people who care for someone with a mental health problem or those who care for someone with dementia or a learning disability.

Centre manager Bobbie Ford said: "We already provide support to carers within their homes, at carers support groups across the borough, within GP surgeries and in any other way we can. This additional worker will provide the additional and specific support that this particular client group requires."

The post will be advertised in January and an appointment made early in the New Year.

Any carer wanting further advice can contact the centre, at Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe, on (01325) 313123.