A THRIVING North Tyne craft group has benefited from funding to extend its regular programme.

Birtley Craft Group, which prioritises sharing skills, materials and equipment, has received a £1,190 grant from the Vattenfall’s Ray Wind Farm Fund.

Local resident and former teacher, Sally Danys, created the group four years ago and the funding has allowed the 22 group members to move meetings to the main hall at Birtley Village Hall where they can carry out work on a potter’s wheel, peg-loom, silk painting frames or rag-rugs simultaneously.