COMMUNITY projects across the Stirlingshire, including upgrading 'Black Boy' fountain and improving Dunblane's Laighills football pitch, have been selected to benefit from �50,000 of funding to help the local environment.

Stirling Council's Environment and Housing Committee last week approved eleven community projects to share in funding allocated during the recent budget.

Awards range from �1,100 towards replacing a damaged fence in Stirling's Afton Court play area up to �13,750 towards path enhancements at Bannockburn's Ladywell (top) Park.

Stirling's 'Black Boy' Fountain in Allan Park will be brought back to life thanks to �12,000 for its restoration. The fountain will also be painted and the surrounding area enhanced.

Stirling Council's Environment Committee Convener Councillor Danny Gibson said: "This relatively small amount of money was allocated for environmental improvements in the recent budget. "Because the council faces difficult financial circumstances we wanted to make sure this was maximised and used to the best possible effect by delivering visible environmental benefits in urban and rural areas. A number of those have been desired by local communities for some time such as the Fountain recommissioning in the town centre or the drainage required at Laighills in Dunblane." Other Community Environmental Projects set to benefit include Buchlyvie Play Group which has been awarded a �5,150 to help secure external funding for a new children's play area.

Dunblane's Laighills football pitch is set to flourish with �6,100 of drainage improvement works. The drainage work, to the lower pitch, should improve playability for its users as it has suffered drainage problems for a considerable time.

�5,350 has been awarded for the installation of a willow wall structure to strengthen the riverbank and prevent erosion to the Haws Park Allotments.

A study and assessment of the tree populous and tree clearance work will be carried out in the Raploch and Kildean areas with �3,250 of funding. The work will be carried out in order of priority and need with safety being the first priority.

The council's Land Service team has been working with a number of community groups on a range of environmental projects, including park master plans, footpath improvements and planting schemes, that were identified to benefit from additional funding. The enhancement works will be co-ordinated by the council's Environment Services.