A NATIONAL flat green bowling champion has been given a helping hand by Darlington Borough Council.

Ann Anderson, from the town, is the UK flat green bowling champion.

As a member of the town's Woodland Bowling Club for more than 20 years she has competed in both regional and national contests.

The council has awarded Mrs Anderson £100 towards travelling expenses for future competitions.

Seventeen-year-old Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College student Chloe Campbell will be putting the £100 she received from the council to good use as she travels to North West India as a volunteer for the charity Gap Activity Projects.

The money will help towards the £1,700 she needs to raise to finance working with the charity for eight months in an orphanage for cerebral palsy sufferers.

A range of clubs will also benefit from grants, including Darlington Childminders Group, Firthmoor Over-60s Club, Neasham Reading Room and the Northern Regional Brass Band Trust.

The money will be used for activities including helping towards summer outings, entertainment, room hire and organising music workshops in the town.

The council's annual budget for financial assistance this year is £15,000. Anyone wanting to apply should call Joan Curran, finance officer, on (01325) 388323.

Clubs will need to submit three years of audited accounts with their application.