SIX Wyre Forest groups and individuals have been given a cash boost by the district council’s Xpression grant scheme.

More than £3,000 was shared out between the chosen applicants to help them achieve their potential and open up new opportunities.

The scheme, backed by The Shuttle, provides financial support for people taking part in arts, sports, environmental and heritage activities.

The Cuckoo’s Nest Theatre Company and Heightington Village Hall were the biggest recipients, receiving £1,000 each out of the £3,120 grant.

The theatre company will use the cash to fund a summer dance school project, while the village hall will put the money towards staging to improve the performance and presentation facilities of the hall.

Tennis enthusiast, Jack George-Burnell, of Sandbourne Drive, Bewdley, has been given £400 to help pay for additional tennis training, stringing and tournaments.

The 15-year-old Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre pupil has been playing tennis since he was seven and is a member of Bewdley Tennis Club. He said: “I’m very excited. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be given and it will help me progress my tennis.”

Naomi Scott also received £400 for a two-week summer course in dance at a London university.

The other successful applicants were Kate Wrigglesworth, of Bewdley, who got £200 for an exhibition of paintings for Kidderminster Arts Festival and Mitchell Dwyers, 13, who was given £120 towards cricket kit and squad fee.

To secure a grant, applicants must be a resident, at school, or member of a club or organisation in the Wyre Forest district and explain why they need the money.

The scheme incorporates the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation, set up by The Shuttle in 1995, which distributed more than £25,000 to those needing support.

People wishing to apply for a grant should log on to www.wyreforest.gov.uk for an application form. The deadline for the next round of grants is August 14.