Kim BriscoeSea scouts, girl guides and eco-warriors are among the 11 community groups to benefit from �35,000 being handed out in Norwich.Kim Briscoe

Sea scouts, girl guides and eco-warriors are among the 11 community groups to benefit from �35,000 being handed out in Norwich.

The organisations, all from the Lakenham and Tuckswood area, won up to �2,500 each as part of a project to allow local people to decide how to spend public money.

Around 140 people went to the Hewett School at the weekend to hear 15 groups, shortlisted from 20, give presentations on why they deserved the funding.

The audience then voted for the projects they thought should get a share of the �20,000 available through the Your Neighbourhood, Your Decision project.

The winners were St Albans Court Sheltered Housing, Lakenham Primary School, Friends of Lakenham Way, Lakenham District girl guiding, Eco-Warriors, Community Action Norwich, Norwich Sea Scouts, Tuckswood and Lakenham Youth Club, 13th Norwich Brownies, Ipswich Road United Reformed Church and the Southern Norwich Scout Council.

Paul Goode, youth worker at Ipswich Road United Reformed Church, said: 'It was a great day where the community showed what they wanted.'

A steering group, made up of local people, was set up to work with Norwich City Council over the past three months on all aspects, from setting the criteria for bids, designing an application form, choosing the voting method, short listing and deciding on the format of the day.

Nick Downes, the council's community engagement officer, said: 'This was an exciting project supporting a talented steering group. I am proud to be a part of it.'

There is still �5,000 to spend on an activity, project or object that improves community spirit in Clover Hill, Chapel Break and Three Score.

The last chance to vote and find out the winning projects will be at an event at Bowthorpe Church Centre, Bowthorpe Hall Road, on Saturday, February 20.Doors open at 12.30pm and the event will be from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Do you have a story about a successful community project or has your group won some new funding? Contact reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk