AN EAST Durham community centre has been awarded a £9,000 grant to help its garden grow.

The cash will be used to improve a multi-use games arena, quiet seating area and children’s play area at the Greenhills Centre, Wheatley Hill.

Work will include the planting of flowers and shrubs around the site and the addition of wind chimes and bird boxes as well as new seating.

Extra waste bins will also be provided.

The funding has been awarded through the Community Space Challenge environmental improvement scheme and County Durham Youth Offending Service and the work will be carried out with the support of Durham County Council.

Senior Civic Pride Officer Pauline Walker said: "This is very much a community-based project, with residents already having taken the lead by deciding how the three garden areas can best be developed.

"We’re hoping they will continue to be involved in the project so that the final result will be a much improved garden area that can be used by all generations."

Work is due to begin in February and is expected to take six to eight months to complete.