£85,000 has been given to projects and activities across the Dudley borough over the past three months, Dudley Council has announced.

Funding from Dudley Council’s community forums has helped support seasonal events, play facilities for children and community centre refurbishments.

A total of £160,000 has been now been awarded to community projects since the start of this financial year.

Community forums take place four times a year and are organised by Dudley Council with West Midlands Police to allow residents to discuss with councillors and police how their community can be improved.

Each community forum also has a pot of money to be granted to groups who launch projects to improve their area.

Councillor Qadar Zada, leader of Dudley Council, said: From the outset our community forum grants have been about helping local people to help others and make a real difference in their communities.

"It’s really positive to know that local people care about the borough as much as we do and are taking an active approach in supporting us to improve the lives of our residents.

"The grants play a big part in the work of our community forums but we also want people to come along to the meetings to meet with us and the police to discuss ideas moving forward.

"By working together in a positive and proactive way, we can achieve more for the benefit of everyone in the borough.”

Grants of up to £5,000 are available and applications for funding must be submitted three weeks before the relevant community forum.

For more information on community forums including the application process for funding email community.forums@dudley.gov.uk.