BOWLING clubs and elderly people are among the many groups who will benefit to the tune of £54,000 at a special cheque presentation tonight.

The event, to be held at Elderdale Community Centre, Yewdale Gardens, in Breightmet, at 7pm, will see the money shared between many organisations in the east of the town.

Cheques ranging from £500 to £8,000 will be presented by Cllrs Madeline Murray and John Byrne, to Withins School PTA; Firwood & Moorfield Residents' Association; Darcy Lever Residents' Association; The Catholic Children's Rescue Society; Red Lane School; Tonge Fold Home-watch; Gorses Bowling Club; PALS; Naya Sawera; East Bolton Radio; CommEnt; Friends of Thicketford; BLITS; Haulgh Community Partnership; Breightmet Arts; Breightmet Sutton Residents' Association; Sarah Lodge and Greater Manchester Coalition for Disabled People.

The money will be spent on a wide range of community projects including the provision of memo-minders for elderly residents in the Tonge Fold area, the refurbishment of a bowling club in Breightmet and the provision of workshops for disabled people living in the East Bolton area.

The cheques will be presented as part of East Bolton Regeneration's strategy to improve the quality of life for residents of Breightmet, Tonge, Darcy Lever, Hall i'th' Wood and The Haulgh.

For further information about grants available in these areas, contact 01204 334334 or 01204 331235.