A YOUTH theatre group in County Durham has received a £1,000 community grant.

The cash from North-Eastern Co-op's community dividend fund has been awarded to Theatre Cap-a-Pie.

The group, in Dipton, is a workers' co-operative providing opportunities for youngsters at risk of social exclusion.

The co-op's grant will pay for security of Cap-a-Pie's new premises - a former Co-op store - which is being renovated.

The former store has had a number of attempted break-ins while it is being redeveloped to house a studio theatre, dance studio and rehearsal room.