Pets in distress have been offered a helping paw by a grant from Stansted Airport Community Trust.

Over the last year the organisation has awarded grants totalling £88,699 to organisations within a ten mile radius of Stansted Airport.

Animal rescue centre, Mutts in Distress, was awarded £2,000 towards converting a building into a hospital for poorly pets.

Grants have also gone towards replacing stolen lead from the roof of Saint Mary’s Church in Debden, providing toys, tables and chairs for Little Harts Parents and Toddlers Group in Stebbing, as well as IT equipment for the Kickstart Trust in Bishop Stortford which helps unemployed people return to work.

Applications for the next round of grants are open until Friday, June 23.

Anyone interested in applying for a grant of up to £2,000 to help with a project within their organisation can email cllr.susan.barker@essex.gov.uk for an application form or advice.