TWO of the district's voluntary organisations have received a cash boost through grants from a fund supporting community groups working with children.

The Citizen's Advice Bureau based at St Mary's Parish Centre, High Road, Loughton, has been awarded the maximum £7,000 by the Essex Community Foundation's Local Network Fund.

The money, provided by the Department for Education and Skills, is given to help groups who support vulnerable youngsters aged up to 19.

Foundation chief executive Laura Warren said: "The grants programme has made such a difference to so many voluntary and community groups working with children and young people.

"We estimate over 90,000 children will have directly benefited from this programme since it began so we are immensely delighted that it is continuing."

The money will be used to fund a member of bureau staff, Tony Ames, to be the financial literacy co-ordinator working with children in Loughton's secondary schools as part of the Every Child Matters scheme which aims to keep young children safe and healthy, economically secure and to achieve within, and make a postivie contribution to their local community.

Bureau manager Sue Britton said: "We were delighted to get the grant because this scheme was piloted before and now we can fund Tony to lead, develop and present the project in local schools.

The Noah's Ark Toddler Group in Copperfield, Chigwell, received nearly £1,200 to buy educational toys.

Grants of between £250 and £7,000 are available to groups with an annual income of less than £100,000. For more details, ring the Essex Community Foundation on 01245 356018.