Two parish councils and a primary school in West Norfolk are celebrating grants of almost �10,000 announced earlier this week.

Great Massingham and Boughton parish councils and Middleton Primary School were all given a slice of a �428,000 pot of Big Lottery Awards for All grants handed out in the East of England.

The village primary school was given �9,080 to provide free after- school clubs for a year and make the clubs accessible to all pupils, including those who cannot afford the costs of the current clubs.

The parish council in Great Massingham was given a grant of �9,412 to clear and improve an overgrown pond space and develop it into a biodiverse pool area and walk.

An accessible wildlife area, including a circular path, a viewing platform and seating, is also planned for the area.

Boughton Parish Council has been given �9,950 to create a wildlife walk that passes through a variety of natural habitiat and it hoped will provide access for the community to enjoy their natural surroundings.

Slightly further afield, Stretham Parish Council in East Cambridgeshire was given a grant of �2,520 to organise a community celebration event called Stretham Feast.

The event is aiming to bring people together to promite community cohesion and reduce the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

The North Norfolk Community Woodland Trust was also celebrating after being awarded �7,500 to regenerate the reed-bed area within a nature reserve which will give the community access to the reed-bed area and enable the community to learn about wildlife within the nature reserve.

The awards are aimed at social and environmental projects benefiting local communities and making a difference to the lives of those most in need. In total, there were 56 grants handed out to community groups, schools and parish councils in the East of England.