Community groups which have waited almost three months to see if they will receive council grants have learned their fate.

Brighton and Hove City Council has finally awarded more than £2.1 million to various groups following the delay caused by changes to the application process.

We reported in August how some voluntary organisations were facing closure because of a delay in making decisions about funding.

Although 131 groups applied for cash before the March 31 deadline, the council had not decided how the grants would be divided.

A letter sent to organisations stating the decision would be delayed until September left many groups panicking about their future.

The delay was blamed on a revamp of the grant application process following a Best Value Review, a Government initiative designed to ensure the council gives taxpayers the best service for the money spent.

Regeneration Cabinet councillor Don Turner said: "Difficult decisions had to be taken because requests for grants were for more than three times the available money.

"Although the process was delayed, we are now confident that council tax payers' money is being awarded to the groups which will provide the most benefit to local people."

He said many of the grants, which start at £8,000, would tackle poverty and improve the quality of people's lives.

Most organisations have been awarded cash for three years.

A few have been given money for one year to carry out specific projects or get groups going.

Organisations which will receive three years of funding include the Gardner Centre at Sussex University, which has been given £25,000 a year, and Brighton Housing Trust which will receive £90,300 a year.

Komedia will receive £20,000 to help develop a site at the back of its premises in Gardner Street and the Women's Refuge will receive £91,207 a year to support its refuge and outreach service.

In August, Anna King, co-ordinator of Brighton and Hove Community and Voluntary Sector Forum, had said some groups faced making redundancies and potential closure because of the delays.

She said: "This is core funding for this sector and this is a disaster zone for community groups."