Community groups get £5.4m boost

A £5.4m cash boost is to be split between dozens of voluntary, community and cultural organisations across the north-east of England and Cumbria.

It is the first round of the Northern Rock Foundation's 2006 funding.

A group helping people in the region with mental health problems find employment will receive £200,000.

Cash is also being given to a visual arts programme in Cumbria, a micro-loan fund in Newcastle, and a grassroots football initiative in County Durham.

Sustrans is to receive £100,000 for the completion of a cross-border section of the National Cycle Network between Haltwhistle in Northumberland, and Brampton in Cumbria.

The foundation was established in 1997 when Northern Rock plc converted from being a mutual organisation.

It is currently completing a review of its work, and will announce changes to its programmes and priorities in the autumn.