SKIPTON First Responders has been awarded £1,000 towards its goal of training more volunteers.

The grant, part of just under £3,000 recently awarded by Craven District Council to three community groups, will also help the First Responders raise its profile.

The group trains volunteers to respond to life threatening emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provides assistance before ambulance staff arrive.

It also aims to educate the wider community in the importance of hands only CPR and early intervention following a cardiac arrest.

Its volunteers have attended more than ten cardiac arrests in the Skipton area in the last year alone with several hundred other life-threatening calls made to the ambulance service.

The council, which received applications from six organisations between July and September, also awarded £2,000 to Clapham Community Shop, which is due to open in the new year, and £150 to Long Preston Village Hall.

The money for the village hall will go towards the cost of new lighting for the stage - aimed at increasing the use of the public building.

And the council agreed to give free use of its facilities to Bentham-based Pioneer Projects for its planned dementia training workshops .

An application for funding by Embsay Juniors Football Club was deferred for more information with a suggestion that the club approach its parish council.

Cllr Carl Lis, lead member for the communities, said: "It is great to see residents taking initiatives to improve the quality of life in their communities, well done to all three of the recipients."

The council has just over £13,000 left to give out in small and medium size grants from now until the end of the financial year in April. Groups can apply up to £2,000.

The scheme is aimed at increasing the number of people getting involved in community projects and at allowing existing groups to try out new initiatives.

The council is particularly keen on funding new groups and those which have never applied before. To be in with a chance of reaching the next round of grants, applications must be made before December 5.

To find out more, go to the council's website at cravendc.gov.uk