A NEW community association will help residents brush up their computer skills, get out and about and voice concerns on the issues that matter.

We Are Simpasture People Speaking (Wasps) residents’ association has received £7,000 of funding from the Big Lottery and Honest John’s Community Kitty to pursue community projects in the Simpasture area of Newton Aycliffe.

The association, set up last year by Alan Lowe and town councillors, John Clark and Derek Atkinson, will use half of the money to launch an IT learning centre in the coffee lounge at Simpasture Court this April.

The remainder will fund neighbourhood events, including a music night, brass band concert and fun day, and low cost day trips to destinations such as Morecambe, York, Eden Camp in North Yorkshire and Mini Moos Fun Farm near Chester-le-Street.

Councillor Clark said: “We will also provide a voice for residents to help address their concerns.”

Residents are invited to attend the next Wasps meeting at Simpasture Court tomorrow (Tuesday, January 27) at 7.30pm.

The group would like to thank the funders and livin housing association for their support.