South Shields-based Arts 4 Wellbeing is one of six groups in the ITV Tyne Tees region battling it out for a share of £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Four will win awards of up to £50,000 each, which Arts 4 Wellbeing would use to establish outreach sessions in the community.

Each group will feature on regional news programme North East Tonight next week, with Arts 4 Wellbeing appearing on Tuesday evening.

Viewers will then be given the chance to vote for the project they think is most deserving of the cash, with the number to call being released on the day the project features.

Arts 4 Wellbeing project manager Dave Wood said: "I will be using all of my contacts and calling in a few favours to get as many votes as possible!

"This would be a massive boost, and we would appreciate everyone's support in voting for us."

This is the fifth year that the Big Lottery Fund and ITV have given the public the chance to vote on where the cash goes in their region.

South Tyneside District Scouts won £50,000 in 2006, which was used to renovate West Hall Bunkhouse at Whitburn.

If successful, Arts 4 Wellbeing plans to run creative outreach sessions, led by professional artists, for the local community, including women, older people, black and minority ethnic (BME) groups and people with mental health problems.

Designed to increase their confidence and to use the enjoyment of creative arts and the process of making something for therapeutic benefit, activities will include painting, crafts and making pottery.

James Turner, Big Lottery Fund head of North East region, said: "This year voters will have some tough choices to make in deciding which of the excellent projects going head to head will get their support.

"I urge everyone to tune in to ITV Tyne Tees next week and to pick up the phone and vote for the projects they think will have the most positive impact in their communities."