MORE than £4,000 is to be handed out to local groups in the latest round of Crown Paints and Darwen Town Council Community Awards.

Every year, the two team up to offer a £30,000 funding pot to deserving groups within the town council’s area.

A panel then looks at all the applications to decide who has been successful, and awards are handed out at a public event.

Football clubs, Guides and a running club will all benefit from the latest grants, to be handed out during the town’s St George’s Day celebrations on Saturday, April 26.

AFC Darwen Juniors has been given the maximum £2,000 towards new kits, while Darwen Running Group will buy new training equipment with a £420 grant.

Darwen Girl Guides will benefit from £806, Darwen Rangers JFC will put on a football coaching event with £520 it has been given and AFC Darwen was granted £318 for a defibrillator to be installed at the WEC Group Anchor Ground.

Tracy Riley, of Crown Paints, said: “We are proud to be a part of the community awards with Darwen Town Council. Each year we receive so many applications from local groups and projects that are going the extra mile for the benefit of the community and we are happy to be able to help those who need it.”

Town council deputy chairman Coun Trevor Maxfield said: “As a town council, it is vital for us to support local clubs and groups in this way.

“It is great for us to be able to give something back to the community and every year we put £20,000 into these awards.”

Ian Cordingley, chairman of Darwen Rangers, said: “We are so appreciative of the grant from the Crown Community Awards. The £520 will enable us to deliver football coaching to 140 primary school youngsters and coach education for Darwen’s local young coaches.”