COMMUNITY groups across North Ayrshire are celebrating after receiving more than £150k thanks to a Council initiative.

A total of 10 groups will receive a varying amount of money ranging from churches, sports clubs and a homing pigeon society.

The Beith Playpark Action Group are to receive almost £30,000 to resurface the tennis court and ballcourt at Beith Public Park.

Sarah Bentley, secretary of the group, said: “It’s fantastic that the ball court and tennis court will be resurfaced.

“They were very run down and the current surfaces were put in 10 years ago in 2004.

"It’s currently full of puddles when it rains and for it to be completely resurfaced will give it proper draining and everyone can use it.

“We are using a local company to have the work carried out and we want to get it done as soon as possible, hopefully by next spring.

"There are five play areas in total and the council are great with small running repairs to these.

"It’s great because children go to these parks on their own and they will use it anyway so it is good to have it resurfaced.

“Councillor Jean Highgate has been very supportive of the group too and now we are just looking to keep all the areas as up-to-date as possible.” In Stevenston, the Ardeer Homing Society are to get their hands on £20,010 and it has come as very welcome news.

Jim Savage, secretary of the group, said: “We’ve been working hard on this.

"Our club hut was built in the 60s and has fallen into disrepair.

“The money will be used to get a new roof, doors, windows and heating and generally give it a new lease of life.

“We are over the moon.

"We’ve been trying to repair it year in, year out and a few of the younger guys got together with the council and now we can possibly use the clubroom for the community with the possibility of a boxing club and the chance for the local schools to come round and see what it’s all about.” Kilwinning Community Sports Club have been awarded just over £25,000.

The club’s Colin Hunter said: “This will add a great deal to the club.

"We’re absolutely delighted.

“The money will be going towards the laying of a new grass pitch, which is the only piece of land still to develop.

“The club ethos has always been to try and provide the best facilities at as low a cost as possible to the community.

“While we do generate some of our funding we still rely on money from grants, thankfully with this support we are able to continue improving the club.” St Palladius Church in Dalry were another lucky recipient of some much-needed cash when they were awarded almost £8,000.

The money will be used for the hall next to the church to be able to provide disabled access.

Rev Mark Kelly said: “We had been anticipating the money so it is all done and we are delighted with the reaction.

"The access includes to those with scooters and mums with buggies too.

"We want our facilities to be accessible for everyone.” Other groups who were lucky enough to receive money from the fund included the Ayrshire Rivers Trust, Dalgarven Mill and the Kirktonhall Creative Media Group.

Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The groups work tirelessly for their communities and these donations are the least they deserve.

“The money will be used wisely and help them flourish and improve the service they offer local communities.

“It’s not just the group that benefit, but everyone that uses it.

“The LCF budget was heavily oversubscribed this year with 19 projects seeking funding of £370,000 against a budget allocation of £160,000.

“It meant we had to use to strict criteria to pick the successful candidates.” The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is a tax credit scheme which enables the Council to contribute up to 5.1 per cent of its Landfill Tax liability to eligible community groups and organisations to carry out projects that meet the objectives contained in the Landfill Tax Regulations.

The Council can reclaim 90 per cent of this contribution as a tax credit and bear the remaining 10 per cent themselves.

Since the scheme began in 1997, the Council has contributed approximately £2.5 million to a total of 160 projects.