TRIBUTES have been paid to a tireless community worker who helped to secure £3m for a Darlington housing estate.

As chairman of the Firthmoor Community Partnership, Bill Cook was instrumental in putting together a bid to regenerate the estate.

And all his hard work paid off last week when the Government announced it was awarding Firthmoor around £3m as part of round six of the Single Regeneration Budget.

Speaking at the official announcement, One NorthEast chairman John Bridge paid tribute to Mr Cook's tireless efforts.

He said: "Bill has been one of the steering lights behind this bid and we need more people like him who are prepared to come forward to make a contribution."

Mr Cook, who has lived in Firthmoor for 40 years, said he was delighted that all the hard work of residents and organisations such as the Darlington Partnership had paid off.

Mr Cook said: "As chairman it has been my great privilege to work with people who care about the estate.

"Over the next five years we hope to bring back a quality of life for residents in Firthmoor. They certainly deserve it."

The £3m Government grant will form part of a £6.8m regeneration of the area, which is aimed at tackling the root causes of its problems and giving power back to the community.

Alasdair MacConachie, chairman of the Darlington Partnership, said: "We are delighted that the bid has been successful and firmly believe the scheme represents a truly integrated approach to regeneration in Darlington."

l Firthmoor Association for Community Enterprise (FACE) is holding a public meeting next Thursday, August 17, in Firthmoor Community Centre at 6pm.