THREE voluntary groups in Darlington have received national lottery grants totalling more than £600,000.

Darlington council for voluntary service, the parish of St Hilda and St Columba and Darlington and district youth and community association were among the first to receive cash boosts from the Community Fund, the new version of the National Lottery Charities board.

Mr John Clarke, chairman of the fund's regional awards committee, said: "Our previous name made us sound old fashioned and bureaucratic, and the application forms were too complex, so we're introducing sweeping changes to encourage groups to apply for a grant where previously they may have been put off."

The congregation at St Columba's church in Clifton Road is looking forward to having a new community hall and meeting rooms thanks to its successful bid for £300,000 from the fund.

The new facilities, which will include a coffee bar and kitchen, reflect the church's resurgence after numbers dwindled a few years ago.

The architect commissioned to design the new building, Mr Malcolm Cundick, said: "Everyone has worked really hard to get this together and the bid has been successful at last. There is no reason now why work cannot start later this year."

Mr Peter Deans, regional manager for the Community Fund, said: "This is one of our largest awards and it recognises the hard work that has gone into developing this project."

A second "blitz" contact bus is on the way for youngsters in the Darlington area thanks to a grant of £189,425. As well as buying another bus, the lottery cash will pay for its conversion and equipment as well as youth workers to staff it for the next three years.

The Darlington and district youth and community association started the mobile information service in September 1999 with a converted single decker bus bought from the police.

In its first year, the bus was used by more than 6,000 youngsters who received advice on careers, health and housing issues and used laptop computers and mobile fax facilities to write letters and CVs.

The association's secretary and treasurer, Mr Geoff North, was a founder member when it was established in 1974. He said: "I am very happy that we have won this grant at the second attempt. The bus has been very successful but there a lot of young people we have not been able to contact. A new bus means we can double our stops of two per night, five times a week."

The Darlington council for voluntary service was the third organisation in the town to benefit from the Community Fund's latest round of grants, receiving £135,695.

Mr Kevin Richards, chief executive of the CVS, said he was delighted with the grant, which would allow the service to continue helping volunteer groups with grant bids and develop its volunteer bureau.

The bureau acts as a first point of contact for people who want to work with voluntary groups and can put them in touch with suitable organisations as well as providing training and support.

Mr Richards added: "We will now be able to create a post for a funding advice worker to support local groups and give advice on how to make grant applications."

Mr Deans said: "Darlington has not had as much funding from us as we would like. I hope that these grants will encourage other groups to apply, and that those who do not know how to apply will consider contacting Darlington CVS."

Community Fund application packs are also available from 0845 791 9191 or www.community-fund.org.uk