Two Royston organisations have been boosted by grants from the Lloyds Community Fund programme.

Royston and District Community Transport has been awarded £3,000 after it banked 45 per cent of North Hertfordshire votes in an online poll.

The Burns Road Hangout youth club in Royston has also received a £300 grant.

The Community Transport scheme offers people who don’t drive, and can’t use conventional public transport, a door-to-door service taking them from their home to appointments or out for shopping and social trips.

Manager David Wherrell said the money would be put towards the cost of buying a new mini-bus.

The Burns Road Hangout offers weekly drop-in sessions for 8–13 year-olds at Coombes Community Centre, providing a range of activities including sports, arts, cookery and music. The sessions are run by North Herts District Council in partnership with Royston Community Association and with the help of volunteers.

The Lloyds Community Fund programme is organised through local Lloyds’ branches and members of the public have been voting over the last two months via text message, online or in the branch itself for which project they would like to receive the grant. The Burns Road Hangout was successful and the money will go towards buying new equipment for the club.

Cllr Tony Hunter, district council portfolio holder for community engagement said, “We are thrilled that local people recognised the value of the Hangout and voted for the project to receive funding from the Lloyds Community fund. The club is invaluable for local children and they will now be able to enjoy new equipment that the grant will help buy.”

For more information on the Hangout please contact Gemma Crosk, Play Development Officer 01462 474560. Information about Royston and District Community Transport can be found at www.roytrans.co.uk.