More than £16,000 of council money was given out to community groups across Caerphilly County Borough between October and January, the council has said.

Groups such as Cefn Hengoed OAP Association, Darran Valley History Group, Bargoed and District Art Society, Western Valley Camera Club and Players’ Theatre and Trinant Brownies and Rainbows have all received grants through the council’s Voluntary Sector Grants scheme and the Welsh Church Acts Fund.

The Welsh Church Acts Fund provided Hengoed Chapel Community Project with funding to build an accessible path around its graveyard. St Margaret’s Church in Blackwood received funds to carry out internal wall repairs and redecoration, while Bethel Baptist Church in Penyrheol benefited from new lighting in its main hall.

According to the council, “several” individuals also received grant support to allow them to represent Wales at national and international levels.

Cllr Eluned Stenner, the council’s Cabinet Member for Performance, Economy and Enterprise, said: “Voluntary groups play an invaluable role within our society; helping our most vulnerable and helping to create cohesive and inclusive communities.”