GRANTS distributed to community organisations this year, allowed more than 5,000 people to participate in a variety of projects.

Third sector grants awarded by Argyll and Bute Council totalled £39,897 and were given to 20 organisations, according to a report at the council's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee meeting on Thursday.

However, £3,571.70 was returned and will be made available for allocation in the financial year 2018/19, alongside the £24,500 expected to be available.

Helensburgh Men's Shed and Helensburgh Seafront Development Project returned their funds after being unable to spend them.

Local organisations and projects allocated funds include Cove Burgh Hall, who were given £2,550 to cover the cost of running the Cove and Kilcreggan Book Festival and towards the cost of a feasibility study on structural changes to the building.

Ticket sales for the book festival were up 50 percent and the feasibility study is complete. The board are now considering the extent to which it can be put into practice.

The Rosneath Peninsula Highland Games were awarded £3,000 to cover costs associated with running the games which saw an increase in the number of younger people taking part in dancing and piping.

Money was allocated to the Route 81 Youth Project to deliver their programme of summer activities including the cost of excursion and transport.

They were allocated £3,984 and the take up exceeded expectations. All but one trip went ahead and an alternative was offered making the programme a success.

Other awards went to the Bicentenary Pipe Band Championships, Cove and Kilcreggan Lunch Club, Cove Sailing Club, Friends of Duchess Wood,Gareloch Group- Riding for the Disabled Association, Helensburgh Addiction Rehabilitation Team, Helensburgh and Lomond Autism/Aspergers Society,Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Football Club, Helensburgh Music Society, Helensburgh Savoy Musical Theatre Club, Helensburgh Sea Conservation Trust, the Kirkmichael Community Development Group, Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust and the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir.