A PROJECT set up to help Alzheimer's sufferers has been awarded a £55,000 grant from the National Lottery's Community Fund.

The Richmondshire branch of the Alzheimer's Disease Society has been given the money to spend over the next three years.

"Over the three years of our project, our aim is to increase awareness of the effects of dementia and the support available,'' said Richmondshire branch chairman, Elsie Ferguson.

"We will be increasing our contacts with organisations and professionals by producing newsletters, by giving presentations and by being represented at health and social services meetings."