A bin, a book of poems, a sofa and an anemometer are just four of the items to be bought with grants awarded by a marathon scheme.

The Rotary Marathon Small Grant Scheme provides grants to local groups which support and promote projects in the local community, using funds raised through Rotary Dorchester marathons.

More than £7,000 has been distributed to 27 of the 41 organisations which applied to the scheme in January using profits made on the successful first Dorchester Marathon in 2017.

Now, Casterbridge Rotary Club is now able to award grants that will help with a range of community projects over the next few months.

President elect Richard Brind said: "We were pleasantly surprised at the popularity of our scheme in its first year and, as we had received many more applications than we had expected, a little less money was awarded to each but to a greater number of organisations than had been envisaged at the start."

The marathon grant scheme has helped many local projects including the funding of lighting and set costs for two youth theatre venues, equipment for playgroups and a potentially life-saving pack for one community group.

Scouting, mental health, a village cricket and town athletic club are also among the list of supported groups.

Rotarian Tim Stiles, one of the scheme’s administrators, said: "It has been really rewarding to hear the delight of the recipients and particularly humbling to see just how hard so many folk work for their community.

"In one letter of thanks an organisation’s treasurer said she was ‘as chuffed as nuts’ with help towards a particularly worthy project – I particularly enjoyed reading that."

This year's club president Les Fry said proceeds from this year's Dorchester Marathon, which will take place on May 27, will go towards funding next year's grant scheme.

He said: "With Rotary being essentially a community group, we concentrated on community needs. With the community behind us again as they were last year it’ll be another great success."

Anyone who can help by being marshals on race day this year is urged to head to Dorchester Rugby Club on Monday, March 26 at 7pm to find out more.

No previous experience is required, and a free drink on the night will be provided by Piddle Brewery for everyone who signs up to become a marshal. Anyone who can’t make the meeting can email their interest to jadorchestermarathon@gmail.com