COMMUNITY causes and charities across have been given a cash boost by Brierley Hill Area Committee.

At last night’s meeting (Thursday) at The Brier School, Kingswinford, councillors were told groups across the Brierley Hill and Kingswinford area have received a slice of £20,672 of Dudley Council cash since the last meeting.

St Mary’s Church Centre, Kingswinford, was given £5,768 to improve facilities including disabled access.

Wordsley Community Association collected £5,370 to buy new computer equipment and to upgrade the flooring at the centre at The Green.

Fens Pool Voluntary Association in Brierley Hill was given £2,164 for furniture and various items of kitchen equipment.

Enlight Projects scooped £2,370 towards buying new equipment to support the work of the group at Saltwells and High Oak Youth Clubs.

And Top Church Training netted £5,000 to support the project worker’s salary for one year and to finance administration costs to set up a young people’s allowance fund.

In addition - it was also agreed at last night's meeting to approve grants of £5,000 to 2156 (Brierley Hill) Squadron, Air Training Corps, to buy first aid, IT and adventure training equipment; and to Insight Carers towards refurbishment work at its premises in Pearson Street, Brierley Hill.

Age UK was also awarded £1,480 towards IT equipment at the charity’s Netherton office.

The committee also agreed in principle to approve hand outs of £3,512 for the purchase and installation of four Christmas trees in the committee area; £5,000 to the Wordsley Festival committee towards the 2012 festival and associated events; and to give £5,000 to The Samaritans for a new CCTV security system, to improve security lighting and to provide a secure door entry system.