GROUPS in Somerset have been celebrating after successfully bidding for cash to benefit their communities. Organisations across the county were invited to bid to their district area working panel for grants. Sedgemoor was allocated £180,000 and 17 applica

GROUPS in Somerset have been celebrating after successfully bidding for cash to benefit their communities.Organisations across the county were invited to bid to their district area working panel for grants. Sedgemoor was allocated £180,000 and 17 applications for money were received. Cheddar Local Action Team (LAT) was awarded more than £5,000 to help with its existing work in the village. The LAT runs youth drop-in sessions on Tuesdays at the Methodist Church Hall in Cliff Street. The group was given money to expand its projects with young people. Shipham Parish Council managed to secure £4,500 to build a lane to the cemetery. Residents who want to visit Shipham Burial Ground currently have to risk life and limb walking down New Road to get to the site. The parish council has now been given permission to build on a piece on land near the road and the Sedgemoor Area Working Panel grant will help pay for the work. Chairman Charlie Riches said: "The project is expected to cost around £15,000 so this grant will really set us on our way. We will now be applying for planning permission." Axbridge Town Council was also successful in its bid for money for a safe route from St John the Baptist Church in The Square to the youth club at the old railway station. Town clerk Vicky Brice said: "We were given £6,500 which will help pay for improvements to the church steps, which can be a bit hazardous for elderly residents, and security lighting on Back Lane footway, which leads to the youth club. While these groups were celebrating, other organisations heard they had lost out on the cash.Wedmore Parish Council's bid for funding for a community point was rejected. The council wanted a one-stop-shop in the village for residents to find out information about the county, district and parish councils and look up important numbers and contact information. Chairman John Sanderson said: "We knew our plans were a bit sketchy as we were a little rushed but in all fairness a lot of the bids that were successful were also sketchy. We never had an opportunity to explain our proposals."* Cash was also awarded to Berrow Parish Council for a games area and Burnham and Highbridge Town Council for youth facilities in Highbridge.A spokesman for the council said: "All the bids have been agreed in principle. The groups must prove they can raise any additional funds they need within one year.