THERE are double celebrations as two community groups celebrate lottery grants worth thousands of pounds.

Longbarn Residents Association has secured £9,650 from the Big Lottery Fund while Cinnamon Brow Community Centre has been given £8,360.

The association will use the money to carry out inclusive events over the next year, with the first of four coach trips having already taken place when 50 members of the Longbarn community travelled to York on Sunday August 30.

A Christmas tree has been planted in the area and a second one is on the way, with a lights switch-on planned for December and parties to be held for pensioners, children and the wider community.

Looking forward to next summer, there will be a Longbarn family fun day with a BBQ, fair, children's rides, entertainers, a DJ, an artist and a face painter.

Geoff Orange, chairman of the Longbarn Residents’ Association, said: “All this will ensure that the community of Longbarn is brought together and built stronger by working together to promote the work of local groups.

“Positive work has already been carried out in Longbarn with events being well supported and this is a further extension of that work.”

Cinnamon Brow Community Centre will use their grant to refurbish their small hall functions room - including the ceiling, lights and new fitted seating and tables alongside a general renovation.

A spokesperson for the club said: "We are very excited with the Lottery grand and the results are amazing.

“The hall is for hire for parties and other functions and we want to invite people along to see the results and improvements.

“We would like to give a special mention and thank to Barrow Electrics, Crown Paints, Contrax Upholstery, Jim Prescott flooring and to the members of the club for all their work.”