The community will benefit from a £3,000 windfall from Gorsley and Kilcot Millennium Committee - and it is all due to the success of a history book about local villages.

The money comes from the proceeds of Millennium Memories - The History of Gorsley and Kilcot which the committee produced with a grant from the National Lottery, funding from the Nationwide Building Society, and with the backing of the Countryside Agency.

Newent's rector Robert Simpson, who chairs the committee, said: "We're delighted that as a result of the book selling well we can make grants totalling £3,000 which will benefit the community."

So far, 800 copies have been sold, at £4.95 each. More than 1,000 were printed and the book is still on sale at Gorsley Post Office.

The money will be divided between a number of bodies, including in support of a local environmental improvement project to be carried out by Gorsley and Kilcot Parish Council, Linton Parish Council, Gorsley Village Hall and Christ Church at Gorsley.

Vivien Ferguson, secretary of Gorsley and Kilcot Millennium Committee, said the environmental work could include the installation of kissing gates on country paths to aid disabled access, and the creation or enhancement of new footpaths.

However, the final decision will rest with the individual councils and groups.

Money has also gone to the Linton and District History Society in support of its archive group.

The group is transcribing on to computer all the photographic, written and oral records used in the production of the book.

When completed, the invaluable record will be accessible at all Forest of Dean libraries, including Newent.