THE Darlington and County Durham branch of the Racial Equality Council (REC) is to expand.

For many years, the REC operated on a shoestring budget, working from members' homes and reaching victims of racism by word of mouth.

In 1999, Helen Attewell was employed as a part-time development officer, based in Darlington, with a brief to raise funds and awareness of the issue of racial equality.

Less than two years later, the REC is to open an office in Durham City and expand to five full-time staff.

Ms Attewell said: "In October, we were thrilled to learn that the REC had been successful in obtaining funding from the Home Office Racial Equality Unit, which will enable us to employ new workers in Darlington and Durham City for a two-year period.

"The aim of the project is to build an effective community network which empowers minority ethnic communities and individuals to have greater access to, and influence over, policy makers and service providers within County Durham and Darlington."

The project will start with a research phase, which will involve community development workers making contact with families and individuals from different minority communities throughout Durham and Darlington.

Pat Poinen, chairman of REC, said: "We are delighted that the Home Office, together with the local authorities, have put their trust in the REC and will enable us to expand."

There are vacancies for a director, two community development workers and two administrators. For more details, telephone Ms Attewell on (01325) 283900.