COUNCILLORS in Colne have awarded grants to community groups at the start of the new financial year.

Colne Area Committee, which helps to fund a number of groups and events, awarded £6,000 to the Rhythm and Blues Festival, £12,000 to Colne in Bloom, £1,800 towards the Colne Gala and £30,000 over two years to the town centre premises improvements scheme.

The blues festival had applied for over £10,000 in funding, but were given £6,000, which was the same amount as last year.