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

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

And all his hard work paid off yesterday when the Government announced it was awarding Firth Moor just over £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.

"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," he said.

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

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

"Over the next five years we hope to bring back a quality of life for residents in Firth Moor.

"They certainly deserve it and I am confident that people will see a big difference."

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.

The cash will be spent on a variety of projects, including a job creation programme with help for people to get out of debt and into work, the setting up of a full-time nursery, and a health promotion programme.

Alisdair 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.

"We are particularly proud of the involvement of the Firth Moor community and this is an excellent example of residents pulling together to lead the regeneration process."