GRANTS of more than £3,000 have been given out this week by Marlborough Town Council to help improve the lives of people around the town.

The Jubilee Centre, the Prospect Hospice Savernake outreach centre and Manton Pre-school were the lucky local organisations to learn they would receive money.

The town council's finance and policy committee on Monday decided that all three of the organisations would receive grants, with the Jubilee Centre being awarded £1,116 towards afternoon activities for its members.

Audrey Williams, 61, of Elcot Lane, a member of staff at the Jubilee Centre in the High Street, said: "It is a great relief we were awarded this grant. We are always in need of support to ensure our services keep on running.

"We provide our service to help people over the age of 60 live at home for longer. This can be from our lunches to them coming along to give their carer a rest. The money will be going towards taking them out for the day and other activities for them to enjoy. It is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere for everyone who comes along."

Prospect Hospice also benefitted by receiving £2,040 to pay towards a new lifting cushion for patients who use the outreach centre at Savernake Hospital.

Tim Atkinson, trust fundraiser for Prospect Hospice, said: “We are very appreciative of this generous gesture from Marlborough Town Council, and this will make a real difference for our patients in the Marlborough area and their families and carers too. Our thanks to them for this very valuable support.”

The council did not forget the town's youngsters, giving Manton Pre-school with £300 to help pay for LeapPads, toys, blackboards and whiteboards.

Shelley Parker, Marlborough town clerk, said: “Access to funding for small charity and community groups is becoming increasingly hard. Councillors know that these small grants to local organisations working hard for the benefit of Marlborough will really make a difference.”