MEMBERS of a charity are dancing for joy after being awarded £2,800.

Age Concern Consett received the cash from the the Lloyds TSB Foundation, one of the UK's largest grant-giving trusts, towards the cost of hiring a hall for its weekly tea dance.

Age Concern Consett provides social and recreational opportunities for people over 55 living in Consett and the surrounding areas.

The charity's main activity is holding a weekly tea dance, which has been running for more than 25 years.

More than 40 people each week attend the dance which provides them with an opportunity to meet friends and take some exercise.

The charity organises a game of bingo and a raffle during the dance interval and also provides refreshments.

Members of a local day care centre also attend the dance on a regular basis.

The charity arranges outings to local dance venues and also organises occasional visits from dance groups in the area.

Age Concern Consett plans to extend its activities to include outings to places of interest, short weekend breaks and shopping trips.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation grant will cover the costs of hall hire for the dance for the next twelve months.

Age Concern secretary Ronald Farclough said: "We are extremely grateful to the Lloyds TSB Foundation for this grant which will free up some of our funds and enable us to concentrate on expanding our activities."

Lloyds TSB Consett branch manager John Hall said: "I am very pleased that the Lloyds TSB Foundation can help to keep the charity's weekly dance up and running.

"In the case of many members, the dance is their only regular social activity, and I think it is important to keep it going as it contributes to their quality of life and overall fitness."