SEVEN sports groups have been awarded a share of almost £14,500 in grants from Hambleton District Council's Voluntary Sports Organisation.

The cash will be used for everything from work on a clubhouse and buying cricket nets, to helping pay for football pitches.

Groups to benefit are Hutton Rudby Cricket Club and South Kilvington Cricket Club, which receive £193 and £90 towards new nets; Bedale Junior and Easingwold Town football clubs, which each receive £5,000 towards the acquisition of land; Sessay and Easingwold cricket clubs, which receive £665 and £1,620 towards respective bills for pitch covers; and Broughton and Kirkby Sports and Social Club, which gets £1,878 towards new windows and a floor in the clubhouse.

Any clubs interested in more information on how to apply for future grants, are asked to call (01609) 767149.