COMMUNITY groups across Darwen are to be given a share of more than £8,000.

The grants, which range from £100 to £2,000, have been awarded to 12 projects in the town by Crown Paints as part of a joint community awards scheme with the town council.

Fit2xl Community Boxing Club, based in Albert Mill, was given a £2,000 grant and has already put the money towards a matted floor.

Barry Higginson, who runs the club with his wife Beverley, said it could have shut if it had not got the funding.

He said: “It was a matter of urgency that we get the flooring done because we had had a couple of kids trip and it was just a carpet floor with concrete underneath. We probably would have had to shut the club if we hadn’t got the money from Crown.

“We are extremely grateful.

“It means the kids are much safer now on a soft, durable floor.

“We are all volunteers and we just run the club to keep the kids off the street.”

Other groups that were awarded grants were Darwen Arts Group, a team of 60 to 80-year-old artists.

The group is opening up an exhibition at the Sunnyhurst Woods Visitor Centre at the end of the month and used the money to make this happen.

The Friends of Ashton Park meanwhile were given cash for information boards around the park off Bolton Road.

The Darwen Townswomen’s Guild was able to have a memorial bench installed in the town’s cemetery as a tribute to the women of the First World War.

St Peter’s Primary School, St Cuthbert’s Primary School, the Friends of Bold Venture Park, AFC Darwen Juniors, Summer Fun 4 All and the Friends of Square Meadow also received funds.

John Jacklin, from the Everton Street Bowling Club, said he was pleased with the cash to restore borders around the green with shrubbery.

He said: “Two of the borders were badly run down around the green so we really are very grateful to receive this funding from the Crown scheme so that we can have it looking nice again.

“We are in the process of planting now. Eventually the borders will start blossoming and I’m looking forward to that.”