A BOWLING club pavilion and a village shop and post office are among 500 schemes to have received community grants from North Yorkshire County Council.

The grants, ranging from £50 to £20,000, are from the council's seven area committees, which aim to invest £500,000 this year in community projects.

Among the grants awarded so far are £5,000 to reopen a village shop and post office in Stillington, £1,000 for a motorcycle accident and casualty reduction campaign in Richmondshire, £1,000 to extend a bowling club pavilion in Harome, Ryedale, and £500 to set up a tea dance club in Jennyfield, Harrogate.

Council chairman Councillor John Dennis said: "In a rural county like North Yorkshire, the facilities and services in villages and communities in our towns, as well as projects with a wider reach, are extremely important, so we are delighted to help.

"The variety of projects for which we have received applications is vast and cover a whole range of issues and interests, but all benefit the local community.

"We know there are many additional local needs to be met. Preference is given to applications where another body or the organisation itself is making a donation as well, but all applications will be considered."

Grant application forms are available by writing to the Committee Services Unit, County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8AD, or by telephoning (01609) 780780.