A SOCIAL landlord has set up a fund to help community groups in the district that it serves.

Cestria Community Housing, which runs the former Chester-le-Street District Council’s housing stock, launched its community development fund with the County Durham Foundation.

Small, volunteer-led, not-for-profit community groups that help meet community needs are eligible to apply to the fund.

Cestria Community Housing says it support community activities that meet an identified need, such as training for volunteers or purchasing equipment.

The first group to benefit was the South Pelaw Residents Association, which has received £500 to set up a healthy eating programme for its toddlers group.

Cestria vice-chairwoman Vera Codling said: "The association provides services to local communities across the Chester-le-Street district and this fund has been established to help small community groups gain access to additional funding and help them achieve their goals.

"I am delighted for South Pelaw Residents Association who will fund a new healthy eating programme for the local toddler group."

"We were also pleased to help double the value of this fund through the Grassroots Endowment Challenge, which matches £1 for £1 donations that support small, community and voluntary groups through a Government initiative managed by the Foundation."

The toddler group, which runs twice a week at the Holyoake Community Centre was established four years ago by playgroup leader and former secretary of the South Pelaw Residents' Association, Janet Ather.

She said: "The healthy eating programme encourages toddlers and young people to eat fruit and low fat foods and aims to get the message across to children that it is good to eat together at meal times."