GROUPS across Babergh are celebrating today after thousands of pounds were dished out to support good causes.Babergh District Council has unveiled the latest recipients of its grants programme which has seen it hand out most of the £100,000 it has available for community projects.

GROUPS across Babergh are celebrating today after thousands of pounds were dished out to support good causes.

Babergh District Council has unveiled the latest recipients of its grants programme which has seen it hand out most of the £100,000 it has available for community projects.

The money forms part of the council's policy to raise individual and community ambition across the region.

The projects helped included £7,700 to Sproughton Tennis Club to resurface its courts, £4,900 to Hadleigh and District Angling Society for work on a fishing lake, £7,575 to the River Stour Trust, £3,800 for a heating system for Whatfield Village Hall, and £1,600 to help Hintlesham and Chattisham Community Council replace play equipment.

Jo Beever, Babergh District Council's community grants officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to help fund these vital projects that are the lifeblood of our communities.

“And what is even better news is that there is some left over for others to benefit from too. For some groups, a grant of £2,000 makes a huge difference and Babergh still has £9,000. So consider applying today.”

Applications for the funds must come from the voluntary sector, parish councils or community groups and to be able to match the funding from Babergh with locally-raised cash. And any money granted will have to be spent by March 2008.

For more information visit www.babergh.gov.uk or e-mail josephine.beever@babergh.gov.uk.

Has your project got a cash injection? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.