Two more East Devon community buildings will benefit from £10,000 of funding from East Devon District Council's Community Buildings Fund.

Funding is still available for community buildings and community shops to apply for.

These are the latest successful projects that have been awarded a grant:

• Awliscombe Village Hall will receive £5,000 to help pay for much needed improvements to the ladies and gents toilets, replacing fibre board ceilings and improvements to lighting, and creating a large storage cupboard. These improvements will make the hall more sustainable.

• Payhembury Village Hall will receive £5,000 to help pay for a new kitchen with appliances and new storage. The local community and users of the hall asked for these improvements.

The Community Building Fund is an East Devon District Council grants scheme that has been running for over 13 years. It helps fund projects for village halls, community buildings and community shops by offering grants of anything up to £5,000.

Community buildings and community shops that are within an area covered by a town council are not eligible to apply.

The scheme's purpose is to help rural community buildings and community shops all around East Devon with funding for projects such as new or improved toilet facilities, kitchen facilities, roof repairs, heating and new door fixtures.

To find out more and apply online click here. The next closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 23 November 2020.

Councillor Jack Rowland, East Devon District Council Chair of the Community Grants Panel said: "The panel was delighted to approve £5,000 for each of these projects as both applications met the criteria and the amounts given will ensure the much needed improvements are implemented for the benefit of the local communities that use the village halls."

Councillor Colin Brown and Councillor David Key, East Devon District Councilor's whose ward covers Awliscombe said: "We were extremely pleased that the grant was given to the village hall.

"This will enable the community to enjoy the new facilities when COVID is finally contained and village life can once again return to normality."

Councillor Philip Skinner, East Devon District Councillor whose Ward covers Payhembury said: "I am very much supportive of the £5,000 being awarded to Payhembury Village Hall for its up grading of its kitchen and appliances.

"The Village Hall is extremely well used by the village community, in the day it is used by the school children and by night the local villagers for all sorts of events.

"So, long may its success continue and I am proud to see some funding going towards something that stretches across the whole community and that this is acknowledged by East Devon District Council."

Maria Banham, Chair of Trustees of Payhembury Village Hall said: "To be able to upgrade our facilities with the help of this fund has meant we can offer our community the things they need, including a modern functioning kitchen which caters for all our users.

"Along with community donations, this grant has made all the difference in the amount of changes we can make, enhancing our user experience and community spirit.

"I would encourage other rural community buildings to apply, the process is thorough but relatively simple.

"Payhembury Village Hall is a valued asset to the parish and we are grateful to East Devon District Council for awarding the funds to help with our project."