A raft of community projects have received early Christmas presents by securing a share of £4,000 in grant funding.

The nine projects, located across Colchester and Tendring, have been awarded the cash thanks to Grassroots Charity, which has been distributing funding to worthy causes in north Essex since 1991.

Women's organisation Colchester Bangladeshi Mohilla Shomity has been awarded £469 to help pay for a new laptop and printer for the organisation's support group.

West Mersea's Dynamite Drama Group has been handed £450, which will be used to pay to hire halls for children's show rehearsals.

The youth squads at Eight Ash Green Cricket Club will benefit from £600 in cash, which used to help develop the next Ben Foakes.

Dovercourt Stroke Group will be given £200 which will be used to pay for Christmas meal for stroke survivors based across the area.

Beacon House has been boosted with £500, with the cash helping to pay for the equipment needed to run cookery classes for people who have been homeless.

Colchester's Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse has been given £500 towards room hire costs for a women's support group.

A £375 grant has been awarded to charity Circus Starr, which will be used to buy tickets for entertainment shows this winter for under-privileged children.

The Ark Centre in Harwich also received £500 to help it pay for uniforms and educational material.

Lastly, £500 has been donated to Harwich and District Cricket Club towards refitting the nets and revamping the practice pitch at the club's base in Low Road.

Sue Hawes, director of Grassroots, said: "At Grassroots we recognise the important role that local voluntary organisations play in improving people's lives.

"We are delighted to be able to help out and thank all our supporters, who make this possible."

Throughout 2018, Grassroots' small grants scheme has donated more than £14,500 to 31 separate good causes.

Voluntary groups and community organisations may apply for up to £1,000 in funding from Grassroots.

For more information, visit www.grassrootscharity.org.