A NEW 'warm spot' has been given a £1,000 helping hand.

Reflections, a Maryport charity supporting those with dementia and their family and friends, applied to Maryport town council for the money to open a warm spot in the town's St Mary's Church, on Netherhall corner.

Cllr Linda Radcliffe, who runs Reflections, declared an interest but was given permission to speakat a meeting of the town council.

She said the plan was to hold a warm spot every Tuesday, to coincide with people coming to the Foodbank.

"Anyone will be welcome but we thought if, initially at least, we ran it on Foodbank day it would give some of our users the chance to enjoy a hot drink and spend some time in the warmth," she said.

Cllr Christine Slater pointed out that there were other warm spots in the town, at the Settlement and the library.

"Cumbria County Council was offering grants for those."

Mrs Radcliffe agreed but said her group had been too late finding out about the grants and had missed the deadline.

Keeping warm this winter - Read about the scheme here

Finance committee chairman Stephen Ashworth said: "We are here to support the people of Maryport.

"Given the unprecendented impact of energy costs, we need to support this."

Councillors agreed to the £1,000 grant.