COMMUNITY projects throughout Wyre Forest have been boosted by a £64,000 cash share-out from a millennium fund.

Carers, Scout groups, playgroups and sports clubs are among organisations to benefit from West Midlands Millennium Festival Awards for All.

The biggest payments - £5,000 - go to Cookley 2000 and Bliss Gate Playing Fields.

The Cookley grant will support community celebrations for the village and surrounding areas, paying for artist fees, materials, venue hire, publicity and insurance.

In Bliss Gate, the money secured will help provide a safe surface and equipment for a children's play area.

The 2nd Kidderminster St Barnabas Scout Group and Oldington and Foley Park Community Network will receive £4,986 and £4,877 respectively.

The Scouts will use their grant to pay for camping, climbing and canoeing equipment and the community network will establish an after-school club for children aged five-12.

Another large payout - £4,970 - will finance refurbishment, computer equipment, training and volunteer expenses at Wyre Forest Volunteer Centre.

Other major beneficiaries are: Alzheimers Society Wyre Forest Carers Support Group (£4,317): computer equipment and training to publish a newsletter.

Park Attwood Friends (£4,400): artist fees, materials and photography for creating a sculpture for the grounds of Park Attwood Clinic.

Stourport Out of School Club (£3,800): play equipment, materials and training for recreational and social activities.

Among smaller scale grants were £1,164 to Spennells Pre-School Playgroup, for tables, chairs, sand trays and an early years big board and £1,392 for Severn Valley Ranger Venture Unit to buy camping equipment.