A community pottery group can now reach further into rural parts of the dale thanks to funding for a new kiln.

Mud And More, based in Stainton Grove Industrial Park, was started by Suzanne Thomas and Vicky Hindle about a year ago to make clay more accessible to people.

Work done by the community interest company has included courses funded by Teesdale Day Clubs as well as supporting rehabilitation efforts at Deerbolt Prison.

A grant of £8,280 from the neighbourhood budget of county councillor Jill Campbell for the new kiln will reduce energy costs and be used exclusively for community projects.

The group works with people suffering from dementia who otherwise do not leave their home, teenagers who are socially isolating themselves despite being with active peer groups, people with physical disabilities who struggle to find accessible spaces and many individuals with severe anxiety who have become virtually homebound.

Vicky said the old kiln will be used for the commercial side to keep the community interest company sustainable.

Of their work with the prison, Vicky said: “At Deerbolt it has had a huge impact.

“We have lots of testimonials from staff there.

“Hopefully we will get more funding for that.”

Teesdale Day Clubs funded a six-week pottery course as part of its programme to tackle rural social isolation.

One of those who joined in was Pamela Bowron.

Suzanne said: “Once the course finished, she came along and started to become a potter, other people too.

“But Pamela has been in twice this week.

“Her confidence has gone through the roof.

“She calls it her happy place.”

The county councillor who helped fund the kiln has a keen interest in the work of Teesdale Day Clubs.

She has visited the studio several times.

Cllr Campbell said: “Every time I have come, the classes have been great, people really engrossed in their work.

“You can feel a really good atmosphere.

“What I can say as a former artist is that the power of art for wellbeing is incredible, no matter what your ability.

“It is the doing and making that brings you out of yourself.”

There are about 100 potters operating in the studio.

Courses are often one-on-one until people feel comfortable with taking part in group sessions.

The atmosphere is relaxed and people can enjoy biscuits with tea or coffee for a chat and sometimes there are shared suppers.

Vicky said: “It is an event to come to Mud And More, it is not only about coming to make a pot.”

“One of the things I was most interested in after being elected was rural isolation and the problem with that, all these little villages and even smaller hamlets.

“People connecting with each other again or finding ways of getting out.”