AN environmental charity has received a donation from the North East Postcode Lottery.

Groundwork West Durham has received a cheque for £2,212 for its Greenhouse project on Greencroft Industrial Park, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley.

The Greenhouse, which is expected to be completed in March, is a 30,000sq ft eco-friendly business centre, with premises for up to 21 small businesses as well as conference facilities and an organic cafe.

Its energy is from renewable sources, including its own wind turbine which provides energy for the air conditioning, and a man-made lake heats the centre.

Wildlife is encouraged to settle on the site.

Lottery operator GoodFund has selected six organisations, including Groundwork, to be permanent beneficiaries of its funding.

So far, more than £11,000 has been distributed to the charities, proceeds of the first four monthly lottery draws.

Manuela Wendler, executive manager of GoodFund, which distributes the money said: "We strive to support local charities that work in areas such as regional development, children's well-being, poverty relief and nature and wildlife conservation."