PEOPLE in north Durham are being given the chance to say how they think should be spent in their area.

The project is called It’s Up 2 U and will give residents the choice on which local projects are given funding to go ahead in Stanley.

Stanley Area Action Partnership (SAAP) launched the initiative in January and 38 projects are now going forward to the public vote event on Saturday June 4 at the Louisa Centre in Stanley.

The aim is to help local people have control over what happens in the area and give them a say on which of the projects money is given to.

Councillor Carl Marshall, vice chairman of the AAP, said: "It’s Up 2 U gives residents the chance to decide how money is spent and which local projects are important to them."

Funding was made available for projects fitting in with the partnership’s priorities, which include the regeneration of the town and village centres, making areas safer, opportunities and activities for young people, traffic management and the environment.

The public vote event will take place at the Louisa Centre in Stanley on Saturday June 4 between 11am and 1pm for voting with the results presented at 1.30pm.

The event will give the applicants the chance to showcase their projects and give members of the public a chance to choose worthy projects.

For more information telephone the AAP office on 01207-218-914.