The Western Isles Development Trust (WIDT) has awarded the first allocations of funding to community groups, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has announced.

An award of £10,000 has been granted to Cothrom's renewables scheme, Restore Renewables.

The money will be used to install a 16kw array of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the new Recycling Centre at Ormiciate, South Uist.

Barbara MacDonald, Manager of Cothrom said: "We were delighted to receive the funding from the Western Isles Development Trust which completes the renewables scheme for our new furniture and textile recycling centre. This funding will help the organisation to become more sustainable in the future."

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In addition, the Western Isles Community Care Forum received a grant of £8,000 towards its Carer's Trainers Project, while £10,000 was awarded to the Hebrides Energy Community Interest Company to contribute to initial start up and running costs of the Energy Supply Company over two years.

Cllr Angus Campbell, Chair of WIDT, said: "I am very pleased that the WIDT has been able to fund these projects which reflect the key priorities for us moving forward, particularly in relation to utilising the fantastic renewable opportunities we have here in the Western Isles.

"Given the limited income stream currently available to WIDT, the Board decided to prioritise projects which meet more than one of its charitable objectives and projects which utilise or promote renewable energy initiatives."

(LM/MH)