A community partnership will be officially launched this week on a Darlington estate.

The Red Hall Partnership aims to improve the quality of life and welfare of estate residents by developing community projects. It will also work with other authorities, organisations and groups.

A management committee was set up last October, and the charitable organisation has already attracted more than £7,000, from a variety of community resources, agencies and charitable trusts, for community projects including a residential adventure trip for young people to Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre.

Darlington MP Alan Milburn will conduct the launch at Red Hall Community Centre on Friday afternoon.

The event will include displays chronicling the partnership's early successes, as well as information about services and activities from groups working with the partnership.

Future projects include a glass painting course for adults, a Golden Jubilee celebration day, a gardening project and further training for the committee.

Since being formed, the committee has also successfully managed the Community Resource Fund, a grant giving scheme for voluntary groups in the Red Hall and Haughton East areas, on behalf of the County Durham Foundation.

Through this fund, the partnership has awarded more than £10,000 of Home Office money to groups in the area.

Partnership chairman Martin Landers said: "The partnership gives people who live on the estate a real chance to make a positive difference to their lives and the lives of their families.

"It's great to be involved in giving people the chance to experience opportunities they otherwise might not have known."