A Hucknall church will receive just under £10,000 from Nottinghamshire County Council's Local Communities Fund to help fund the installation of a new kitchen.

East Side Methodist Church on Bestwood Road will use the upgraded facilities to support a long-established youth group and community drop-in at the church which has become somewhat of community hub for local residents in recent years.

The funding is part of more than £50,000 of financial support which is to be shared among nine Nottinghamshire organisations to help them deliver community-boosting initiatives in their neighbourhoods.

They will receive £51,387 in total via Nottinghamshire County Council's Local Communities Fund (LCF), which enables groups and good causes to access money to deliver key projects.

The LCF is a four-year scheme which gives organisations an opportunity to apply for capital grants of up to £20,000 to make improvements to facilities that support community access and boost health and wellbeing.

In addition to capital grants, groups can apply for a small revenue grant worth up to £5,000 to help projects with running costs – such as providing transport or food for projects.

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "Since its launch 12 months ago, the Local Communities Fund has made life so much easier for groups and organisations to access support to continue their work to encourage healthy and thriving communities.

"Community groups and charities provide a crucial lifeline to people of all ages in their neighbourhoods, and I am delighted the latest round of LCF funding will once again be awarded to causes that have demonstrated they are helping people to live healthier and more independent lives – as well as keeping children, vulnerable people and communities safe.

"I would encourage any group, charity or sports clubs looking to make a difference in their communities, particularly for more vulnerable residents, to get in touch with us or their local county councillor at the earliest opportunity."

The other four groups who, along with East Side will share £45,387 of LCF capital grants are: Edwinstowe Parish Council (£20,000); Halam Parish Council (£5,787); St Peter's Church Centre in Mansfield (£5,000); Tollerton Parish Council (£5,100).

An additional £6,000 has been earmarked for four groups which have applied for a small revenue grant (£5,000 or less). Each group will receive £1,500, they are: Clipstone Miners' Welfare Community Trust; Now Church in Langold; Watersafe UK Search and Rescue, based at Redhill Marina in Ratcliffe on Soar; and Young Lions Cricket Club who are based in West Bridgford.

The latest round of LCF funding means the county council has delivered £1.6 million in capital and revenue grants to community groups and charities since the scheme was rolled out nearly a year ago.

For more information about LCF, click here.