EPPING Forest voluntary and community groups are among those to benefit from £1.8m worth of grant from the Essex Community Foundation.

The biggest grant has gone to Ongar's Theatre Resource arts and theatre group to part fund the costs of "The Business" project, an arts-based employment programme for adults with learning disabilities.

Little Ark pre-school in Coopersale has been given £1,000 to meet start-up costs for a new breakfast and after school club, alllowing pre-school parents to work longer hours or undertake training and further education.

Voluntary Action Epping Forest has been given £7,698 to help pay salary costs for the co-ordination of the community transport scheme, which provides accessible transport for those unable to use public transport.

Epping Forest Council for Voluntary Services gets £2,500 towards the costs of providing a gardening service to older people. This scheme also offers volunteers with extra needs practical work experience. Other county-wide grants include £4,320 towards the Aidis Trust, which will help with the cost of training 20 severely disabled people from Essex, enabling them to communicate, grow and develop their full potential, using adaptive computer and communication systems.

Euro--MP Richard Howitt, who sits on the European Parliament committee responsible for the funding, said: "I'm delighted this extension of European money will be available to grassroots organisations."

For more information about how to apply for a grant, ring Moira Groborz on 01245 356018 or e-mail esf@essexcf.org.uk