THE Northern Echo yesterday joined forces with a Darlington charity to launch a community website that could help hundreds of people.

The Darlington and District Youth and Community Association (DDYCA) has created its website through The Northern Echo CommuniGate scheme, which has already helped more than 1,000 community groups set up their own sites for free.

The association is Darlington's biggest charity, and supports community projects set up to help residents of all ages.

The website was officially launched yesterday, and members of the charity are confident that hundreds of local residents will visit the site to find out more about the group.

Mick Moat, a trustee of the association and community education co-ordinator for Darlington Borough Council, said the website should prove a vital help in promoting the charity.

He said: "This is a fantastic way of getting our message across to local residents, and we are hoping the response will be positive.

"We are grateful for all the help The Northern Echo has given us through the CommuniGate scheme and, hopefully, this initiative will help us go from strength to strength.

"The biggest plus from this is the fact that anyone can now log on to our website and find out more information about the DDYCA, and through that we hope to help more projects in the area."

The charity is also connected to Darlington Dial-a-Ride, which acts as a taxi service for elderly and disabled people across Darlington borough.

Members also organise short activity breaks for youngsters, and support a number of projects aimed at helping youths in Darlington.

The website was created by Darlington student Nigel Robinson, with help from staff at The Northern Echo.

Mr Robinson, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: "It has been great setting up the site and I am really proud to be associated with the venture. Hopefully, the site will receive a lot of hits and will give people a chance to find out more about the DDYCA."

The website is at www.communigate.co.uk/ne/ddyc