An arts group in Martham is celebrating after receiving £750 in funding after applying for a community grant.

Palette for Pleasure art group received the funding after being chosen by Persimmon Homes as a winner in its Community Champions scheme, which involves the company giving help to fundraising efforts made by local community initiatives.

Maureen Salter, who runs the group said: 'I cannot tell you how happy I am to have received the funding. I am gob-smacked and it was such a surprise, the class were absolutely thrilled with the news and it is going to help us in so many ways.'

The group applied for funding to help with rent payments following the departure of some of its members, with remaining members originally chipping in to help make payments.

Mrs Salter, 74, added: 'We were running low on funds and the rent was becoming an issue. Everybody was chipping in and telling me that they would not let the class close down.

'We are in a much better position now and I am so pleased because I just could imagine closing the class down. The class is now safe and we are looking into doing other things such as special workshop mornings.'

'We have reached a point where the art class needs to make progress and I think we are heading in the right direction with this money.'

The class currently has around 16 members but Mrs Salter, who has been running the group for 14 years, says she would welcome more people to the class.

She said: 'I would welcome new members with open arms. Most of our members are either widowed or separated from their partners so this gives them somewhere to go to meet new people and to also enjoy themselves.

'If you are lonely then please do come along and give it ago, it is a lovely and friendly sociable morning to be apart of. It doesn't matter if you have never done anything like this before as we cater for all skill levels.'

The class covers many different styles of art including pencil drawings, acrylic paintings, oil paintings, water colours and pastels.

Palette for Pleasure meet severy Thursday at the Martham Methodist Church between 9.30am and midday.

For more information about the art group people can contact Mrs Salter on 01493 740728.