COUNTY Durham has won £17.6m of European funding for education and skills schemes.

The money has come from the European Social Fund Objective Three programme in just over a year, thanks to the efforts of the county council's eight-strong European team.

The programme aims to support employed and unemployed people by helping them acquire skills for work.

Mark Lloyd, the council's economic development and planning director, said: "The European team has assisted a wide range of partners in the county to secure these grants.

"The new County Durham economic strategy identifies education and skills as a key driver for raising the county's economic performance."

Recipients include councils, colleges, schools, Durham University, Business Link County Durham, the Learning and Skills Council, voluntary and community groups.

County council projects have received £3.8m, including training and supported employment for disabled people and training and careers advice for residents of disadvantaged communities.

One scheme, the Impact Project, which helps to reduce truancy and permanent school exclusions among teenagers is to be used as a model for the rest of Europe.

Objective Three has a clear role to play in achieving our collective targets and these grant approvals are keeping us on course for success.

support packages for youngsters in danger of exclusion from school,

recently won a European award. It