A FUND of £48,000 has been made available to support local communities across Dartmoor.

Groups, town or parish councils in West Devon, South Hams and Teignbridge can apply for the money to help with costs for projects like a community building, open space or other vital facilities.

The Dartmoor Communities Fund was set up last year by Dartmoor National Park Authority with funding received from West Devon Borough and South Hams District Councils.

The fund provided grant support for projects that fell within the West Devon Borough and South Hams District areas of Dartmoor only.

A good range of applications was received last year with the total grant requests exceeding the funding available.

By working with applicants, it was possible for support to be given to all but one of the proposed projects.

Funding of nearly £40,000 was also made available to support a range of capital projects that ensure the long term viability of valued existing community facilities and services, or create new infrastructure to meet identified community needs.

In total projects of a value in excess of £200,000 were supported.

Included in the projects supported was Yelverton Village Park which was awarded a £1,049 grant aid to extend the existing play equipment and meet the growing demand for additional play equipment from both local and adjacent parishes.

Lydford Playground project was awarded £5,200 to support a traditional playground for younger children and a multi-use games area for older children.

Reducing the need to travel out of the village to reach facilities and providing a resource for the primary school has built community cohesion.

Throwleigh Village Hall was also awarded £1,060.80 in grant funding to undertake alterations to the WWI American steel Quonset hut which is now used as the village hall to improve draught proofing, meet current safety standards and provide a new exit ramp to meet access requirements and enable use of the hall by all.

For more information on how to apply contact [email protected]