RETIRED people attending a lunch club will benefit from a council cash boost.

The new Community Grants Scheme by Braintree Council, which launched in September, allows organisations to apply for funding to support local projects.

The first grant was given to Witham Town Luncheon Club, which meets every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Town Hall.

The grant will mean the volunteers at the club are able to buy a new freezer, allowing them to make better use of the meals and food they are given by supermarkets.

As part of the Community Grants Scheme, each ward councillor will have a maximum of £1,500 to give to organisations who apply for funding. Councillors Sue Wilson, Bill Rose and Patrick Horner awarded £200 to the luncheon club.

Members of the luncheon club said they went for the company and home-cooked food.

Gabrielle Spray, Chairman of the Braintree Council Grants Panel, said: "I’m delighted our first grant has been presented to a well-deserved organisation. "It’s great to know that we can provide support to projects or activities and just a relatively small sum of money can make a huge difference to improve the wellbeing of communities.

"We are urging residents that have projects which need a boost to funding to come forward and contact your local ward councillor.”

Organisations interested in funding should contact their ward councillor through www.braintree.gov.uk/councillors

For applications visit the council's website.