MORE than £2,000, raised by the Ruardean Carnival, has been donated to 11 community groups in the area.

The grants were presented to: Ruardean Guides, Ruardean Youth Club, Pludds and District Village Hall, Ruardean Family Circle, Ruardean Brownies, Ruardean Scouts, Ruardean Woodside Luncheon Club, Ruardean Toddlers and Under-Fives, Ruardean War Memorial Village Hall, Ruardean Rainbows and Drybrook Allotments Association.

A carnival spokesperson said: “One of the nicest things about all the hard work the committee and volunteers of Ruardean Carnival put in to ensure the carnival is a rip-roaring success is the giving out of community grants to local groups and organisations.

“We hope the money is used for worthwhile projects and always look forward to not only hearing about, but also seeing, the good use that the money raised has been put to within our community,” they added.

“To the volunteers who help make our community a fantastic place to live in and for our children to grow up in, we also say thank you.”

The grants were presented at Ruardean Memorial Hall and the Carnival Princess and her attendants were chosen for this year’s event which will be held on Saturday, August 10.

The princess is Evie Ashley and her attendants are Lexie, Millie, Indie, Eva, Mollie and Ella.