Almost £3 million of community partnership funding has been awarded to charities and community organisations in East Lothian for the current financial year.

East Lothian Council says 54 community organisations are being given grants from its One Council Partnership Fund.

They include funding for the county’s 20 community councils and six area partnerships.

Among the recipients of the grants are East Lothian Foodbank who have been given £15,000 and young people support groups Bridges Project (£95,000) and Heavy Sound C.I.C (£53,515).

Local enterprise Roots and Fruits, which delivers weekly fruit and vegetable boxes to vulnerable groups and cookery workshops, has been given £35,000 and Wee Red Upcycles, which teaches skills in repair and upcycling, was given nearly £16,000.

Other organisations being supported include East Lothian Swim Team, Venturing Out CIC, First Step Community Project, Friday Friends, East Lothian Play Association, Prestonpans-based Dalkeith & Monktonhall Colliery Brass Band, DadsWork, Conservation Volunteers, Coastal Communities Museum Trust, Carefree Kids East Lothian, Access to Industry and Amisfield Preservation Trust.

There is also support for a range of sports, arts and community groups.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing, said: “Community and third sector organisations play a vital part in the lives of people across East Lothian.

“The aim of One Council Partnership Funding is to support reducing inequalities across East Lothian’s communities and population. I am delighted to see the range of projects and organisations which will benefit from funding, many of which are locally based.

“The current covid-19 crisis highlights now more than ever the necessity for a joined up approach. “The initiatives funded seek to tackle inequalities at all levels; prevention, early intervention and crisis, helping ensure that no individual is left behind in East Lothian.

“I look forward to supporting the organisations and their continued drive to ensure that East Lothian people and communities flourish.”