Six community groups in north Norfolk are celebrating windfalls through the latest rounds of grants from the Victory Housing Community Fund.

Winter health checks for older people, renovating a youth drop-in centre, updating a village play area, improving drainage on a village playing field and replacing emergency doors in a community centre are among the projects receiving funding.

Nearly �12,000 was awarded by a panel of residents, bringing the total given out by the fund since it was set up in 2008 to �96,500.

The six successful bids were:

�Horning Parish Council - �4,500 towards the cost of updating the village's play area

�The Benjamin Foundation - �3,000 towards the cost of upgrading a barn next to the Carpenter's Arms youth drop-in centre in North Walsham. It will provide a space for drama and dance shows and other creative activities.

�Age UK North Norfolk - �1,500 to help it provide a winter health check to older people households in north Norfolk, covering heating, insulation, safety, health and financial matters. Each household will also have a carbon monoxide detector/alarm fitted as part of the check.

�Worstead Parish Council - �1,325 towards the cost of improving drainage on the village playing field, which is used by a variety of children's and adults' sports teams.

�Little Snoring Parish Council - �1,000 to help it bring into use a community building for use as a youth club and by other community groups

�Holt Community Centre - �500 towards the cost of replacing emergency doors at the venue regularly used by more than 20 community groups.

Victory chief executive John Archibald said the fund had now given out about �100,000 and helped 35 community groups since it was set up two years ago.

'The fund is making a real difference right at grassroots level, and we are delighted to be playing such a positive role in the whole community in the north of Norfolk,' he added.

The Victory Housing Community Fund is administered by Norfolk Community Foundation, which handles initial grant applications. Further details at www.norfolkfoundation.com.