WREN, the Okehampton-based folk arts group are celebrating receiving a grant from Devon County Council, while a number of other arts organisations in the county have been left disappointed at having their funding cut.

Wren has been given a grant of £10,250 by the county council to develop projects with local community groups.

The money will be spent across the range of community projects which make up Wren?s annual programme.

Grants totalling £338,375 have been awarded to 17 venues and projects throughout the county.

Last year, the council invested £370,000 in arts grants. However, with this year?s budget cuts, it has not been possible to renew its grants to a number of groups.

Marilyn Tucker, Wren Trust co-founder, said the group was delighted with the grant. ?We are ever so pleased. We are grateful they have not cut us. It is not an awful lot of money, but it is important because it shows the council have got confidence in us and it should help us lever in more money to the county.?

Devon County Council liaises with Arts Council England South West when deciding which organisations are to benefit from funding.

This year the council has decided to give priority to organisations which will receive increased funding from Arts Council England on condition they continue to be supported by the local authority. The council?s grants will thus help secure extra money for the arts in Devon.

Commenting on the arts grants budget, executive member for lifelong learning, Cllr Saxon Spence, said: ?The county council has a proud tradition of supporting the arts in Devon and it?s good news that we are able to continue that investment despite this year?s cuts.?

Cllr Spence said she was very happy that the council will again be funding the ?high quality work of Wren?, especially their projects with young people and some of our most disadvantaged groups.