AROUND £1m is to be ploughed into a scheme to help young people in Derwentside to be more healthy and better equipped to face life.

The cash, from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund, will help turn a village hall into a healthy living centre.

The Young and Fit in Derwentside scheme will target people aged up to 25. Run by Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT), it will address substance misuse, sexual health, teenage pregnancy, under-age drinking, malnutrition and poor mental health.

A large chunk of the cash will go on converting the former Co-operative Society Hall in Dipton into The Store, a one-stop shop to encourage youngsters to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Services include alternative education through art and theatre, counselling and complementary therapies such as massage. There will be advice on eating well, cookery courses, shopping on a budget and exercise classes.

An allotment promotions scheme will be set up to rejuvenate allotments and encourage a broader take-up of people of all ages. And advisers will work with homeless people to enable them to live independently.

Staff will also work closely with pupils aged 11-16 from six of the district's comprehensive schools and two special schools, through their Personal and Social Health Education (PSHE) classes. They will take part in art, dance, music and drama sessions as part of a unique, five-year research project called Emotional Intelligence.

Kim McGarry, the PCT's health promotions specialist for young people, said: "It will bring together a series of projects under one roof that will help young people make better decisions and enhance their life chances, whether it is on housing or drugs.

"The idea with Emotional Intelligence is to build life skills and confidence, giving them the competency to tackle issues which they will face in life."

The successful bid for the lottery cash is the culmination of two years work by the PCT, in partnership with Derwentside District Council, the Council for Voluntary Service, Durham County Council, the Rural Community Council, Groundwork West Durham, the North-East Council on Addictions, Single Homeless Action in Derwentside, the Special Needs Unity Group (SNUG) and Theatre Cap-a-Pie.

Alex Watson, leader of the district council, welcomed the news. "It is tremendous news for Dipton. The old Co-op building has been part of heart of Dipton for many years. It had fallen into some disrepair and I am delighted that this will bring such an established building back to life."