THREE county charities have been awarded thousands of pounds from the Big Lottery Fund.

The biggest grant went to the volunteer-run Whitchurch and Ganarew Memorial Hall and the £10,000 will be used to build an extension and refurbishments within the venue.

The 1st Kingstone Brownies were given £2,350 to enable the group to go on a World Centre weekend, where they learn about different cultures and meet other Brownies from around the UK.

The Basement Trust in Ross-on-Wye also received funding. The £9,628 will allow staff to continue their work with young people with an eye on holding a series of five-a-side football sessions.

Judith Gill, chairman of the Whitchurch and Ganarew committee, said: "We previously received a legacy which allowed us to start building the kitchen, so this means we can kit it out. It will mean catering for around 50 people at events won't be so much of a challenge."