GRANTS of up to £1,000 are available to charities, voluntary and community groups, sports clubs and social enterprises based in the Wellington area through the Local Community Fund.

The fund, administered by Somerset Community Foundation on behalf of Somerset West and Taunton Council, supports community projects by distributing money from the Somerset West Lottery.

The Local Community Fund awarded 14 grants, totalling £12,000 to community groups and sports clubs across Somerset West and Taunton over the last year.

They included 1st Wellington Scouts who received £1,000 towards new energy-efficient lighting for their hall; Wellington-based charity Reminiscence Learning, which had £1,000 to provide support for family carers of people with dementia; and West Buckland Friendship Club which received £850 for activities for isolated older people.

Groups which would like to apply for funding should visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/somersetwestlottery or call Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949 for more information. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 20.