PRESTONPANS Community Council has agreed to provide funding to help two projects at the town’s primary schools.

St Gabriel’s RC Primary School had asked the group to help fund the restoration of its garden and outdoor classroom.

It is hoped this facility can be used by pupils and members of the public outwith school hours.

The school confirmed it had received £200 of funding but required £800 more to complete the works.

Community councillors unanimously agreed to fund the remaining £800, stressing the community benefit of the project.

Preston Tower Primary School had also asked the community council to help fund its yearbook for outgoing P7s.

The group helped to fund the yearbook last year and agreed to do so again, despite concerns raised that a precedent might be set to fund it every year.

The total cost of the yearbook was £922.20 and the community council agreed to award £500.

A request for funding for a third project was rejected by community councillors, who felt that it fell outwith the group’s remit.

Funding was asked for on behalf of Emma Brown, connected communities manager for Preston Seton Gosford at East Lothian Council, to continue a P7 youth group through the summer months.

The club required money to pay staff during this period.

However, community councillors were unwilling to fund something they believed amounted to a “council service”, although some members argued that the funding would “keep 30 kids off the streets”.