YOUNGSTERS were among those delighted to take a share of grants of nearly £25,000 dished out to the community.

They attended a ceremony at Mountfield when Mayor David Rickard presented grants on behalf of Bridport Town Council.

Youngsters from St Mary’s Primary School after school club and pupils from Salway Ash who joined in the Allington Hill play trail project were among the recipients.

Coun Rickard said: “It is part of the town council’s work which we all enjoy doing.

“A lot of councils feel that when times get a bit tight these things are the first things that should go.

“We actually feel that the grants are first things we should do.

“We have a budget every year for groups which are doing interesting and important things in the community.”

Four organisations received larger grants to help with their costs but 20 smaller groups received cheques ranging from £100 to £750.

The four large grants were:

* Bridport Arts Centre: £6,000 

* Bridport Leisure Centre: £4,750 

* Bridport Museum: £3,750 

* Citizens Advice Bureau: £5,000

Pupils from St Mary’s attended with teaching assistant Elizabeth Welch and lunchtime supervisor Janet Malpas to pick up a cheque for £100 for their newly formed after school club.

Elizabeth said that the new group was formed after the success of a similar breakfast club and has proved popular.

She said that the money would be spent on new toys and art resources, and thanked the council for its help.

Sal Robinson, treasurer of the Allington Hill Hillbillies volunteer group, attended with pupils from Salway Ash Primary School.

She thanked the council and said that young people had given input into a new play trail on the hill which had five pieces of equipment spread around the beauty spot.

Bruce Willoughby, from the Bridport citizens advice bureau, stressed that the office was staying despite extra strain on its resources.

“There is a rumour going around that we are facing financial difficulties and are going to close.

“We are struggling, like most charities, but we are taking all the action necessary to keep open.

“Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau will be staying open.”

Others to receive money included the Bridport Barracudas swimming club, Bridport Bandits, Bridport Chamber Orchestra, Bridport Community Land Trust and the Hughes Unit Group Supporters.

Lucky recipients of the cash

* Leisure centre – £4,750

* Museum – £3,750

* Citizens’ Advice Bureau – £5,000

* Arts centre – £6,000

* Disabled Carers and Friends Club – £100

* Life Education Wessex – £250

* First Dorset Credit Union – £250

* Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride – £250

* Age Concern, Chancery House – £750

* ‘You Trust’ graffiti project at West Rivers House – £250

* Barracudas Swimming Club – £200

* Respite and Recovery UK – £250

* Bridport Bandits – £250

* Bridport Chamber Orchestra – £200

* Millennium Advice and Information Centre – £250

* Victim Support – £250

* Allington Hill Volunteers – £500

* The Sir John Colfox Trust – £225

* Bridport Community Land Trust – £300

* Skills Training, Bridport – £300

* Hughes Unit Group Supporters – £200

* St Mary’s Primary School After School Club – £100

* Youth Dance, Arts Centre – £250

* Small Things, Arts Centre – £250