THE Craven Trust has awarded grants totalling £9,000 to eight local community groups.

And among the beneficiariesare Clapham Community Shop, Skipton Town Juniors FC, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and St John’s Methodist Church, Settle.

The trust is a registered charity, set up in 1995, to promote and support local charitable and community activity, through a programme of constructive grant making.

The catchment area for grants is the old Archdeaconry of Craven, taking in parts of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

"The trust recognises the need which exists in both the urban and rural areas of Craven," said a spokesman. "This need comes in the shape of conserving local heritage, providing centres and facilities for local people, playschemes, local sport facilities, cultural events, leisure and recreational opportunities."

Last year alone, the trust gave out £24,563 to 42 local groups. The next applications deadline for the next round of grants is Friday, December 11, and for more information, visit craventrust.org.uk