More than �26,000 will be awarded to fund street parties, exhibitions and storytelling events around the region.

Newcastle's Discovery Museum, a writing group on Teesside, and the Durham Light Infantry's Old Comrades Association are among the groups to benefit.

It is part of the �12.3m Home Front Recall scheme, commemorating the role played by those on the home front.

'recognises sacrifices'

Tim Davies-Pugh, Big Lottery Fund North East regional manager, said: "Home Front Recall recognises the importance of the sacrifices and contribution made by millions of people.

"[They] may not have been fighting in the strict sense but were, nonetheless, indispensable.

"Whether they were, for instance, building planes, putting out fires, breaking codes, or looking after evacuees away from the centres of bombing, they played a part in the success of the war effort."

Keith Bartlett, Heritage Lottery Fund's regional manager for the North East said: "This will preserve and honour the memories and bravery of countless men and women from the north east, ensuring that their sacrifice is remembered by us and future generations."