A funding scheme which provides thousands of pounds to help community projects is unlikely to continue beyond next year.

Braintree Council has handed out more than £250,000 since launching the Mi Community fund in 2011.

But 2014/15 is the last year money has set aside for the scheme in its budget.

The council received 99 applications for the first two rounds of Mi Community, handing out grants to 20 different causes.

Beneficiaries have included Colne Engaine FC, which received £15,250 for a new pavilion, and Molly’s Wood community orchard in Sible Hedingham, which received £18,990.

Braintree Council will announce which groups will benefit from the third round of the scheme, which received 42 applications, next month.

A fourth round will then open in September, bringing an end to the originally allocated £500,000 fund.

Councillor Gabrielle Spray, who chairs the Mi Community working group, will present a report on the scheme at a full council meeting tomorrow.

The report said: “No further funding is currently available for Mi community in the 2015/16 financial year and onwards.

“Initial discussions are currently underway with Essex Community Foundation on how we can work with them in the future to provide financial support to local organisations.

“A report on this will be taken to a future meeting of the Mi Community member working group.”