COMMUNITY groups in Bury and across Greater Manchester have benefited from cash grants totalling £321,285 between January and June this year.

The figure has been announced by the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. These are record results for its grant-making activity.

During the six months, the money went to support the work and activities of local individual and grass root community groups throughout Greater Manchester.

The figures have already eclipsed the organisation's total grant-making activity for the previous financial year.

A total of 274 grants have so far been awarded from 13 charitable funds held at the Community Foundation.

Community Foundation for Greater Manchester manage and administer funds such as the Bardsley Fund, The Co-operative Bank Community Fund, Credit Union Loan Guarantee Scheme and a host of other groups.

Grant development manager Julie Langford said: "It is a fabulous achievement.

"Only two years ago, many local charities and grass root community groups had to wait almost 12 months for decisions on their funding requirements.

"We have already surpassed last year's totals and substantially increased our fund portfolio. Who knows what we can achieve next year."