A TOWN council has handed hundreds of pounds to local organisations to help them continue to support the public during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bicester Town Council launched its Covid-19 Emergency Fund of £20,000 two weeks ago.

It is giving up to £500 each to organisations who are directly supporting the community.

One service to benefit is Citizens Advice North Oxfordshire & South Northants, which received £450.

The money is being used to cover 1,000 miles that have been driven by volunteer drivers delivering essential supplies and medicines to those in need in Bicester.

Bicester Good Neighbour Scheme has received £500 to cover an identified shortfall in income normally generated through coffee mornings and prize draws to enable them to continue their service to vulnerable older people.

Another organisation included in the funding boost is Rainbow Bicester which received £500 to cover 50 bi-weekly learning resource packs for the summer term.

This will support families with pre-school children to help prepare them for starting school.

Bicester Foodbank has also received £500 to cover the cost of buying additional food to meet demand and increased diesel costs for their van.

A further six applications are being processed and funds are still available.

Bicester’s mayor Jason Slaymaker said: “We are delighted to be able to support this vital community work.

“It is great to see how the community has come together to support each other, those who have been self-isolating and our more vulnerable residents.

“We hope this extra funding will enable these organisations to carry on their important work, which is needed more than ever.

“This grant scheme was set up to provide financial support for organisations who are supporting Bicester residents. Funds are still available, and I would urge any group or charity who may need extra financial support to apply for a grant.”

Organisations in the town can apply for grants of up to £500 each to carry out work to support the community through the coronavirus pandemic.

Applications are invited from groups, clubs, committees and charities who are either based in Bicester, or directly support people in the town.

It is not open to individuals or profit-making businesses and organisations.

For more information or to apply view www.bicester.gov.uk.

Residents in Bicester clashed after the town council took the unprecedented step to close the town cemetery to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The move is in line with the government’s strategy to slow the spread of Covid-19, but residents have argued about the decision.

Bicester Town Council is also urging residents to stay out of play parks after people flouted closure rules.

On government advice, all 60 play parks in the town looked at by the town council were closed as part of the coronavirus lockdown to reinforce social distancing measures to prevent spread of the disease.