GREEN areas throughout the region are to benefit from an injection of cash.

The money is part of a £1m fund from Barclays Sitesavers to revitalise derelict areas.

The Sitesavers initiative helps groups of residents carry out work to turn rundown areas in their town into play, education and relaxation areas.

In the latest round of donations, 11 projects in the North-East have been given grants totalling £80,000.

In Darlington, grassland next to the Firthmoor housing estate will be turned into a wildlife site.

The Firthmoor community group has already organised a litter pick, tree planting and a bird box building event to prepare for the new-look site.

In Redcar, east Cleveland,work will be carried out to increase public use of the Coatham Marsh Gateway - the last freshwater wetland on the southern side of the River Tees. New seating, footpaths and planting will be carried out in the area.

In Gateshead, the Windy Nook Nature Park will be restored and a butterfly garden created.

Sally Keeble, of Barclays, said: "The programmes are specifically targeted at disadvantaged communities and aim to use improvements to the physical environment as a stepping stone to greater community confidence, improved public health and reduced fear of crime."

Two projects in Middlesbrough have received money from the Sitesavers project. St Martin's community garden will be tidied up and disused allotments at Beechwood Country Park will be turned into a recreation area.

Meanwhile, a playground will be created at Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, while the West Boldon Environmental Education Centre will be extended and an unused car park will be turned into a garden.

In Ferryhill, County Durham, Old Pit Lane will be revamped to make it easier and safer for disabled or elderly people, as well as children to get from their housing estates to Ferryhill Station.

Dene Valley Community Park, in Bishop Auckland, and Hilda Park, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will also be revamped with new play equipment and replanting.

Ludworth Teen Zone, behind Ludworth village hall, County Durham, will be redesigned by young people to become a recreation area for the community.

Over the next 12 months anyone living near a project will be encouraged to volunteer to take part in the work.