A group which keeps a village looking its best has been given £10,000.

Kelvedon in Bloom have kicked off the new year with a financial boost from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme.

Last week a total of £226,064 was distributed to 29 groups across the East of England, and more local groups are being urged to apply for grants.

Lesley Hill, Treasurer of Kelvedon in Bloom, said the money will be put towards a number of different projects.

The cash will be spent on a new bench outside the health centre, 31 new containers, a pop up shelter for selling plants in all weather and new compost.

“These grants are vital. We get £700 a year from the parish council and we try to get help,” said Mrs Hill.

For the last two years Kelvedon in Bloom has won a silver gilt award at a regional competition.

Mrs Hill said this year the extra cash will help the group in their search for gold.