COMMUNITIES across Wrexham are to benefit from Tidy Town funding totalling £121,000 from the Welsh Assembly.

More than 20 areas put in bids for cash to cover a range of environmental projects, including reclaiming derelict land, improving footpaths, planting bulbs, seeds and shrubs, creation of a wildlife area, provision of seating, community garden improvements, planters and general tidy-ups.

Provision has also been made for the Wales in Bloom entry and a general clear-up and improvements to Moss Valley and Alyn Waters.

Cllr David Bithell, lead member for the environment and transport, said: “This is the final year of these awards and they have been very well received by communities throughout Wrexham.

“We are very pleased with the number of bids received and with the variety of works that will take place throughout the county borough.”

Receiving awards are:
- Abenbury – £1,000 to clean-up a footpath near Barclays Bank on the industrial estate.
- Acton – £4,000 for environmental works at the Japanese Gardens in Acton Park.
- Broughton – £5,000 for improvements to footpaths.
- Brymbo – £4,000 for environmental improvements focused around the Brymbo Link Road and public right of way improvements from the Brymbo Link Road below Brymbo Sport and Social Club.
- Caia Park – £4,000 to reclaim an area of derelict land fronting Manley Road and Crescent Road to form a community garden.
- Cefn Mawr – £5,500 for participation in Wrexham In Bloom.
- Chirk – £5,000 to plant bulbs/seeds/shrubs with the assistance of local businesses.
- Esclusham – £4,000 for 20 planters, the erection of a permanent raised flower bed border at the front of Rhostyllen Parish Hall, the establishment of a small allotment area at the rear of the Parish Hall for Rhostyllen Youth Club and a general tidy-up of the land on the corner of Smithy Lane and Pentrebychan Road.
- Gresford – £3,000 to carry on with environmental improvements outside the Chester Road shops, planting grass verges and tubs in public open spaces across the area and around Marford Community Centre and Gresford Memorial Hall with summer flowering plants. Also the creation of a wildlife area in Gresford Cemetery and to replace the dying tree at The Cross, Chester Road.
- Johnstown Community Garden Association – £6,000 for improving the access to allow the community garden to be accessible to all community groups.
- Llangollen Rural – £5,000 for the enhancement of various locations on the route for both Britain in Bloom and Wrexham in Bloom.
- Llay – £6,000 for the refurbishment of the Central Gardens.
- Maelor South (Bettisfield) – £2,500 for boards giving information on places of interest around the parish.
- Maelor South (Penley) – £2,500 for lay-by enhancement.
- Minera – £2,000 for a general tidy-up and landscaping.
- Offa – £2,000 for the placement of a three-tier planter on grass verge in front of Bookers Cash and Carry, Felin Puleston.
- Rhosddu – £3,000 for a village green improvement scheme.
- Rhosllanerchrugog – £4,000 to enhance the planting and tidy up the area on the corner of Church Street/Market Street.
- Rossett – £1,200 for 30 half-barrel planters that are sited in various locations to be planted with flowers of red, white and blue as requested by the Royal Air Force Association to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
- Ruabon – £6,000 for environmental Improvements to village entrance, highway verge by Cil-y-Coed and Wynnstay gardens.
- Moss Valley – £5,000 for a general clear-up and Improvements.
- Alyn Waters (Llay side) – £5,000 for general clear-up and improvements.