THE voluntary sector is worth more than £2m a year to the economy of Teesdale, a survey has revealed.

A study by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) also found that, despite the lack of a proper infrastructure, Teesdale has one of the highest number of volunteers per capita in the country.

With almost 11 for every 1,000 people, the number of voluntary or community organisations in Teesdale is more than five times higher than the national average.

The study also revealed that 54,000 people have benefitted from the work of the voluntary sector, despite the fact that many organisations suffer from a serious lack of funding.

Only five per cent of the 217 Teesdale organisations surveyed had an annual income of £100,000 or more, with the remainder forced to generate half of their total income through fundraising, grants and donations.

The dales' voluntary sector has almost 200 unpaid workers per 1,000 people, which is above the national estimate of between 22 and 75 per 1,000 people.

The NCVO has compared the results of the Teesdale survey with another study carried out on the voluntary sector in a more built-up area, in east Northamptonshire.

The NCVO survey found that volunteer numbers in rural communities seemed to be considerably higher than in urban areas.

Michelle Armstrong, of 2D, which provides support for the voluntary and community sector of Teesdale and Wear Valley, said efforts by volunteers provided an invaluable boost to the local economy.

She said: "This new research just goes to prove that Teesdale has an exceptionally high number of volunteers, with many individuals and organisations benefiting from their efforts.

"2D is the Council for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Bureau for the Teesdale and Wear Valley area, and will continue to support, promote and develop this important contribution to the well being of the district."

However, the survey also revealed that most voluntary organisations in Teesdale failed to share information and two-thirds made no use of the Internet.

The survey in Teesdale will form the basis for the NCVO's conference, Supporting Rural Voluntary Action.

The conference, which will be held next month, will be addressed by the Minister of State for Rural Affairs, Alun Michael.