A COUNTY Durham credit union has been given a cash grant to help school pupils to start saving money.

Teesdale Credit Union has been awarded £280 from the North-Eastern Co-ops Community Dividend fund. The money will enable the union to fund promotional events and materials, as well as expand into schools.

Danielle Barnes, credit union development worker, said: "I applied for the money to enable the union to have junior passbooks, paying-in slips and membership forms printed.

"We are hoping to branch out into local schools and offer them a much-needed savings service. Hopefully, we will be able to attract children from local schools to our service and encourage them to start saving for the future."

The Teesdale Credit Union was registered three years ago and has grown steadily. It is regulated by the Financial Services Agency, like all high street banks and building societies.

For more information, contact Wyn Ross on (01833) 638769. For details about the Community Dividend Fund, telephone 0800-0686727.