THE shortlist has been drawn up for The Northern Echo's Making a Difference competition.

Sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast since the competition started seven years ago, Making a Difference honours volunteer-led projects.

Schemes need to show they are changing the areas in which they live for the better. This year's shortlist is:

l FCB Residents' Association. Covering streets around Belk Street, in Hartlepool town centre, the association is breathing life into the area, including working for better security and erecting hanging baskets.

l North Bitchburn Community Association. Based in the village near Crook, County Durham, the association's activities include creating sports pitches, tidying areas and running projects for local young people.

l West Rainton Green Group. Based in the County Durham village, its members activities include running green markets and operating an environmental programme for local children.

The schemes will be visited by the judging panel at the end of next month.

The competition's administrator, freelance environmental journalist John Dean, said: "Yet again, Making a Difference has produced some brilliant entries. Seven or eight could have made it on to the shortlist and it was a tough decision to make.

"What singled out the shortlisted schemes was the way they involved whole communities, their amazing range of activities and the sense of community spirit that shone through."

Alan Clarke, the chief executive of One NorthEast, said: "One NorthEast is pleased to continue supporting Making a Difference, which yet again demonstrates the great things that can be achieved through small community projects.

"Each nominated scheme is a wonderful example of people of all ages working together to improve their local environment."