Community groups in Worthing got together to launch the next round of awards from the town's Community Chest Fund.

The Worthing Community Partnership supports local groups through grants made from the fund.

The partnership was started in 1999 with the aim of trying to tackle key community issues in Worthing.

It consists of local people representing all walks of life from the private, public and voluntary sectors, including education, health and other statutory services.

money from the fund has already helped Worthing Sea Cadets refurbish its headquarters, fund improvements to Worthing Boys' Club and helped Worthing Shopmobility with a promotional campaign.

Others to benefit around the town include firefighters and schools.

There is now a befriending scheme for those with mental illness, as part of the Maybridge Mile project, and the Worthing and District Crossroads group is able to provide a better service thanks to a new care management software package.

Many of the groups involved came together last week to launch the next round of funding at Worthing Community Partnership's office in Portland House, Richmond Road.

Dan Thompson, whose RAG graffiti project also received funding for a series of workshops, said: "With funds supporting everything from storytelling in schools to the installation of smoke alarms, the money has made a real difference - and to projects working actively in the local community."

Elizabeth Bonnel, from the partnership, said the application process for the fund was easy, with just one form to fill in.

The team appraising applications would include representatives from the groups previously funded, ensuring the community had a direct say in how the funding was allocated.

She said: "We aim to support community projects, enabling improvements to be undertaken within the borough of Worthing.

"We also hope the funding will encourage better understanding of community issues."

For further information or an application pack, call the partnership on 01903 221080.