A BOWLS club, pre-school and youth band are just some of the groups celebrating after getting cash handouts from Fareham council.

A total of 15 community groups have received grants of between £500 and £1,500 through the council's community grants programme.

The aim of the programme is to support voluntary groups, clubs and organisations in promoting community, play, sport and leisure activities for people across the borough of Fareham.

One of those groups to benefit was Locks Heath-based Communicare, a voluntary organisation arranging activities for the elderly.

The group received £1,000 which chairman Dick Treglown said will go towards the cost of a new minibus.

"Communicare is delighted to receive this grant which acknowledges the contribution of all our volunteers to helping local people," he said.

Other groups to benefit include:

The Henry Cort Indoor Bowls Club - £763 for new equipment.

Oak Meadow Early Years Centre - £1,499 for new toys and equipment.

Whiteley Pre-School - £750 for new equipment.

Fareham Data-Link Group - £500.

Fareham Community Church's Bridge Project - £750 for a new drop-in caf for youngsters.

Titchfield Community Association - £750 to refurbish the centre's kitchen.

The Louisa Seymour Charity - £457 to cover repairs to the Sarisbury Parish Rooms.

The closing date for the next batch of grants is December 30.

Applications for grants of less than £50 can be submitted at any time.

For more details call Andrew Harper, Fareham council's community development worker, on 01329 236100.