LOCAL community halls are among the 129 organisations in the South West who will share more than £5.2 million from the Big Lottery Fund in the latest round of grant allocations.

Colebrooke Parish Hall receives £8,600.

The hall committee will use the funding to replace its current heating system as it is no longer fit-for-purpose.

The committee say it will ensure improved and continued use of this community facility, especially for younger and older users.

Brampford Speke Village Hall Trust receives £10,000 towards a new extension and disabled ramped access.

The trust says it will improve accessibility to the building for people with mobility problems, as well as provide storage space that is safe and fit-for-purpose.

Newton St Cyres Parish Hall receives £4,219 towards a new store.

The hall will use the funding to increase the size and improve access to the community hall’s storage facilities.

This will enable the group to meet the increase in demand for its services ensuring safe and continued use of this rural community facility.

Also locally, High Bickington Community Shop Ltd receives £8,128.

The organisation will use the funding to purchase shop fittings and equipment in order to establish a community shop in a currently disused building.

More than £5.2 million from the Big Lottery Fund is shared amongst the 129 South West organisations including projects in Gloucester, Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Bristol.

The funding will support local organisations to help improve their local communities.

The awards have been made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes.

Awards for All provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.

For more information on funding available call the BIG Advice Line: 0345 4 10 20 30 or visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk .

Alan Quick