Cricketers of all ages, young footballers and users of several village and community halls will have improved facilities in the latest round of Big Society Fund grants agreed by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).

NNDC's Big Society Fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to voluntary and community organisations based in North Norfolk.

Since the fund started in 2012, just under £1,300,000 has been awarded to 164 community projects.

The panel which agrees the grants met this week and awarded six grants totalling £63,079.74. The awards are subject to each group agreeing to formal terms and conditions.

BSF grant awards in this round were to: Cromer Community Association CIO (£15,000) to upgrade the electrical system providing power to the stage area in the main hall including adding circuit breakers, install a permanent PA and music system for use by visiting acts including a mixing desk, install a lighting system to illuminate the stage including LED and spot lights plus installing a lighting control system at the Garden Street Community Centre.

Mundesley Coronation Hall (£15,000) to refurbish kitchen facilities including new and improved appliances, blinds, lighting, additional cupboards and work-surfaces.

Briston Parish Council (£7,831.48) for the installation of a new heating system in the Briston Pavilion.

Field Dalling with Saxlingham Village Hall (£5,248.26) to create two separate toilets from the existing single toilet, one of which to be for people with disabilities.

Melton Constable Parish Council (£5,000) to create a new area dedicated to football/ball games for nine to 13 year olds.

Bradfield Cricket Club (£15,000) to rebuild the current club house to provide new facilities.

Councillor Tom FitzPatrick, Leader of North Norfolk District Council and Cabinet Member for Big Society, said: 'We meet approximately every three months to make these decisions and what always strikes me is the wide range of applications from different groups, with differing interests.

'But all of those groups have at least one thing in common – a desire to improve their local community, often for every age group in that community.

'I'm also delighted to see a good geographic spread around the district.'

The next round of applications closes on November 7. Eligible applications will be considered by the BSF Grant Panel on December 5.

A prospectus is available to applicants, and contains comprehensive guidance to support the application process.

If you have an idea or a project that you wish to develop and apply for funding, you are encouraged to speak to your local councillor and get in touch with the Council (via Sonia Shuter tel. 01263 516173, email supporting.communities@north-norfolk.gov.uk) or visit www.northnorfolk.org/bigsocietyfund