HAMPSHIRE community groups are to benefit from a major cash injection.

More than £150,000 of funding will go in support of 15 Hampshire-based community groups.

The news was announced by Cllr Andrew Gibson, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside.

Cllr Gibson approved grants to nine community groups across the county totalling £136,210 and Culture and Community Activity Grants to six organisations amounting to £15,980.

He said: “These groups offer a wide range of activities and events to everyone within their communities. The additional capital funding will help these organisations modernise their facilities and improve their offer to residents.”

Among those to benefit is the Eastleigh-based Asian Welfare and Cultural Association, which has received £3,000 for the Mela festival.

The event is set to take place on Sunday on Leigh Road Recreation Ground and will be opened by ex Saints boss Lawrie McMenemy.

Mohammed Mossadaq, founder of the Mela, said: “This is a great news because we have no other income and any money we receive goes towards the Mela. We are very pleased we got this money to go towards the Mela, Hampshire County Council has always been very supportive. We used the money for everything. We try to make the event family friendly and we try to make sure families can have a good time without having to spend lots of money.”

Other Winchester-based groups will also benefit from the cash injection, including the Integr8 Community CIC, that received £25,000 to remodel the King Alfred Youth Activity Centre (KAYAC).

The same amount of money has also been given to the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty in Winchester for the construction of new toilets.

Meanwhile, the Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy and the the 13th century Mottisfont Abbey, in the Test Valley, run by the National Trust have received £2,000 each. The first group will use the cash to fund art programmes held in Lymington in support of adults with mental health issues, while the money received by the Mottisfont, National Trust will go towards artistic projects.