COMMUNITY groups around the Malvern Hills district have been given a financial boost with a host of grants announced this morning (Friday).

Malvern Hills District Council has agreed grants totalling £100,000, which will be formally presented on September 2.

The largest grants have gone to Malvern Hills College (£35,000), Malvern Theatres (£27,540) and Malvern Hills Citizens' Advice Bureau (£12,000).

The council has, however, also awarded a host of smaller grants, mostly totalling £500.

These include funds for the Autumn in Malvern festival, which continues to bring the best in art to the town every year, organisers of Malvern May Day celebrations and Malvern Visual Arts Society.

Malvern Hills District Council leader Tom Wells said: "The applications clearly demonstrated that there are some fantastic community groups in the area and for these to continue doing their excellent work we are delighted to assist financially."

The full list of recipients is: £500: 2nd Malvern Scout Group, ARCOS, Autumn in Malvern Festival, Callow End Playing Field Association, Clifton-Upon-Teme Playing Field Association, Hanley Swan Memorial Hall, Longdon Village Hall Committee, Lyttleton Well Ltd, Malvern Access Group, Malvern Division Brownie Units, Malvern Fringe Arts Ltd, Malvern Hills District Older Persons' Forum, Malvern May Day, Malvern RFC Youth Development Section, Malvern Special Families, Malvern Visual Arts Society, Mediation South Worcestershire, Neigh-bourhood Watch - The Greenway, Powick, Newtown Sports Junior Football Club, Noah's Ark Trust (1998) Ltd, Oak Crescent Residents' Association and The Hill and District Community Association.

Community Action Malvern and District will be awarded £5,530, Community Council £750, Ethnic Access Link £200, Home Start Malvern Hills £292.45, Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council £600, Malvern Citizens Advice Bureau £12,000, Malvern Hills College £35,000, Malvern Theatre Players and Malvern Hills Council for Community Service £100.25, Pickersleigh Centre Association £3,182, Upton-upon-Severn Scout and Guide HQ Management Committee £200 and West Malvern Festival Committee £300.