SPORTS groups are celebrating after a package of grants totalling nearly £130,000 was handed out by council chiefs.

The money from Scarborough Borough Council will be used to develop community and sporting facilities along the North Yorkshire coast.

The financial aid package was approved by members of the authority's cabinet grants and relief sub-committee.

Councillor Jane Kenyon, who chaired the sub-committee, said: "These grants, which individually may look modest in themselves, are in many cases the lifeblood of the organisation.

"For some the cash assistance may be the difference between these very important community and sporting activities taking place or not.

"The grants go to a wide variety of different organisations in Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and surrounding areas - from dance troupes and sea cadets to sports associations and tennis clubs, with the emphasis very much on getting the community involved.