A CHAGFORD community co-operative is one of 115 sustainable living projects across the country to benefit from a £4.2-million injection from the Government.

The cash boost of £28,917 to Proper Job will enable the appointment of a a research and development worker and expand the reuse and repair and community composting service.

The community project has been in operation for several years but gained momentum when it established a permanent base in Chagford last year thanks to a lottery grant of £131,000.

Gaining national recognition for its initiatives, Proper Job has become an example for other communities throughout the country.

The composting project was started by leafleting a number of streets in Chagford to see if there was a demand for collection of kitchen waste and now there are collections every week.

Proper Job also runs a facility where people can bring waste to their site and a community repair scheme for old and derelict furniture.

With all its activities being run from one site, the project, which now employs five people, has been able to put in place a programme of training courses from making furniture from recycled timber to sowing spring vegetables, using the community compost, of course.

Proper Job co-ordinator Jo Hodges said the money from the Environmental Action Fund was very welcome and would enable a research and development worker to look into ways of reducing waste and being more sustainable.

'In the past year we have been working on getting ourselves established with a building that is a shelter for reusable and repairable items, an administration office and a building where we can run courses,' she said.

'The money has come on the back of that and it is something we are very pleased about.'

Mrs Hodges said the cash would also fund an assistant to work in the recycling centre.

'We are trying to get more off the ground and have volunteers working alongside the employees,' she said. 'The aim is to find ways of recycling as many products as we can.

'The community is using its ability to deal with a global issue, and if we can do it so can others.'

The money from the Environmental Action Fund is aimed at promoting sustainable living and improving quality of life.

Announcing the awards, Environmental Minister Michael Meacher said: 'The Government's "Are you doing your bit" campaign stresses that we all need to play a part to protect our environment.

'These projects will help educate and enable individuals of all ages to play their part in protecting the planet for future generations.'

Projects receiving grants involve waste management, farming, gardening and biodiversity.

l Proper Job Community Co-operative is holding a practical workshop at the end of the month on sowing spring vegetables. For more information contact 01647 432391.