GRANTS totalling more than £9,000 have been awarded to Worcestershire projects inspired by the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Between £450 and £500 has been handed out to 19 projects across the county which aim to increase sport or physical activity and help to create an Olympic legacy in their community.

In the Worcester area, Top Barn Activity Centre at Holt Heath will use the money to hold paddle power sessions aimed at introducing paddle sports to young people within the Scouting and Guiding movements.

Plans have been put forward by Norton Community Group to hold an annual one-day event featuring sports, arts and music.

Other county groups which have received grants include Stourport High School, Drakes Broughton Village Events Group and Dyson Perrins Sports College.

Peter Turvey, Olympics 2012 co-ordinator for the Worcestershire Partnership, said: “We’re keen to create a festival of Olympic and Paralympic activity in Worcestershire and in 2010-11 we had a great response to the toolkit and the small grant scheme with 19 separate projects receiving up to £500 each.

“As the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games get closer, more and more groups are responding to the public’s appetite to get involved by setting up local Olympic-themed events and making the London 2012 Games the ‘Games for Everybody’.

“Any voluntary or community association, statutory body or educational establishment in the county whose activities fit the criteria can apply for funding, and I would encourage as many groups as possible to get in touch.”

For details, e-mail Mr Turvey at pturvey@worcester shire.gov.uk or visit raisingourgame2012.org.uk.