AN EVESHAM community group has been given a much needed lifeline after being named as one of the projects to receive a chunk of a £72,000 community fund.

The Ourside Youth Association in Evesham was one of 12 community groups and projects in Worcestershire and Herefordshire celebrating when it discovered it was one of the lucky recipients of the Landfill Communities Fund.

Pershore based community charity, Welcome to our Future, through its management of the Severn Waste Environmental Fund awarded the grants to the groups, which included the £10,000 for the youth centre.

Carly Elwell, director of the Ourside Youth Association, said the money came at a crucial time.

"We are extremely grateful to have received a grant," she said. "In it's current state, the Ourside Youth Centre is uneconomical to run due to it's old fashioned heating system.

"Ourside intends on spending the money on air source heat pumps, loft insulation and solar roof panels. This will reduce the youth centres carbon footprint, our outgoing costs and make the centre more sustainable.

"We hope it to be a good role model for introducing renewable energy and sustainable buildings in the Vale. This will benefit the young people who attend the centre and hopefully they take some of the knowledge learned into their own homes and lives."

Other groups that benefited included Pershore Indoor Tennis Centre, which received £10,000 to install new LED lighting, the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings that was given £8,500 towards re-thatching of 16th century threshing barn, the Friends of St.James, Bishampton were given £10,000 towards new public amenities at the church and the Pirton PCC (St.Peters) received £6,000 towards the restoration of the church clock.

Severn Waste’s Marketing Director, Ian Barber, said: "A large proportion of money awarded in this round of grants is going towards building related projects, either for the creation of new facilities or the preservation of existing features. We are delighted to be able to support this work through the Landfill Communities Fund."

To apply for a grant contact Welcome to our Future, the Garden House, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, call 01386 556222 or email severnwastefund@aol.com.