GRANTS totalling over �110,000 have been awarded to support rural community projects by North Herts District Council. They have gone to parish councils and organisations for specific projects including a major grant of �24,313 to Weston Parish Council. Pi

GRANTS totalling over �110,000 have been awarded to support rural community projects by North Herts District Council.

They have gone to parish councils and organisations for specific projects including a major grant of �24,313 to Weston Parish Council.

Pirton recreation ground project committee has been given �23,000 while �7,427 has gone to Kings Walden Parish Council, �4,671 to Preston Cricket Club and �2,686 to St Ippolyts parish hall management committee.

Almost �13,000 was given to 12 parish councils as part of the Environmental Improvements Fund. They were Ashwell, Codicote, Graveley, Hinxworth, Holwell, Ickleford, Kimpton, Lilley, Offley and Cockernhoe, Pirton, St Paul's Walden and Weston.

Cllr Tricia Cowley, the council's portfolio holder for community engagement, said: "The council is very keen to support rural communities and help ensure they have the facilities they need to thrive.

"It is exciting to see how many worthwhile projects are put forward for our grant schemes. Indeed the initiative has been so successful that NHDC has agreed to extend the �250,000 annual Parish Amenity Capital Improvement Fund (PACIF) for a further year."

* If you think your village project could be eligible for a grant, look on the NHDC website www.north-herts.gov.uk or call community development officer Garry Gover on 01462 474674, or Peter Underwood, communities facilities manager, 01462 474669 (for all PACIF enquiries).