A HISTORIC community base has been handed a £20,000 improvement grant.

The 109-year-old Moss Bank Mission building will be modernised thanks to the funding from the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust. Currently more than 300 people use the base for activities like art clubs, dance classes and councillors' community surgeries.

Funding comes as part of the landfill tax credit scheme, which offers money for communities within 10 miles of a landfill site.

Jill Marsh of Moss Bank Mission, Moss Bank Road, said: "The work at Moss Bank Mission is extensive and will bring the building into good repair. It will begin in spring with essential work on the roof. This will be followed by refurbishment of the main hall and finally removal of obsolete central heating systems."

Angela Haymonds, secretary of the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust, added: "We welcome applications from other community groups in the area who feel their project would benefit local people but needs some extra funds to get things off the ground.

"ICET wants to make people aware of funds available from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The scheme offers money for projects that benefit communities living within 10 miles of a landfill site.

"The Trust has just designed a simple form and an explanatory application pack to make applying for the funds easy - so applicants do not get bogged down with red tape."