THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for good causes in the town by the former mayor of Darlington.

Coun Isobel Hartley has helped to raise nearly £25,000 for community groups throughout the borough during her year as mayor.

The money has allowed charitable causes to buy new equipment and provide better services for residents.

Darlington Action on Disability, Darlington Mind and Darlington Crossroads care attendants' scheme were the three main charities to benefit.

They received £3,000 each over the year to spend on new facilities and services.

Another 107 groups throughout the town were also given money raised through the Mayor's charity shop in Duke Street.

These include: Borough Road Nursery School, Branksome Community Association, Grange Road Baptist church and Darlington 405 Air Training Corps.

Coun Hartley said: "I am very pleased to have raised so much money and to have been able to help so many Darlington good causes. I must thank all the staff at the Mayor's charity shop for their tremendous work."

The shop, which is run by volunteers, celebrates its 30th anniversary next month.

Darlington Borough Council estimates that over the past three decades more than three quarters of a million pounds has been raised by the shop to help Darlington charities.

Thanks to the money from the Mayor's Fund, Darlington Mind was able to send 15 people with mental health problems on holiday to Butlins in Skegness. Many of the people who went on the weekend break had not had a holiday in 15 years.

General manager of Dar*ington Mind, Helen Moffatt, said: "We were very grateful for the money that we received. People with mental health problems can become socially isolated which prevents them from accessing community resources let alone go on holiday.

"This was a great opportunity. Everybody enjoyed themselves immensely."

Coun Doris Jones took over from Coun Isobel Hartley as the new Mayor of Darlington on May 16.