A MUSICAL therapy community group in West Devon have got the New Year off to a harmonious start after benefiting in the latest round of national lottery Awards for All grants.

Three groups from West Devon were among 151 charity groups and organisations across the South West who shared a total of more than half a million pounds.

The Tavistock-based Music Box charity which aims to build links between people in the mental health system and the wider community, received £1,803 to purchase new musical equipment.

'It is fantastic. We are going to buy some very good equipment, an electronic drum kit and acoustic bass,' said Music Box treasurer Nicholas Jenkin.

Mr Jenkin said the new musical equipment would be available for the Tuesday evening drop-in sessions which Music Box hold at the Mental Health Day Services, Abbey Rise, Whitchurch Road.

He said Music Box was an exciting community group to be involved in because it was still small enough to evolve in a number of different directions.

The largest single award in the area was £5,000 to Milton Abbot village hall to install a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities.

The Princetown group of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship were awarded £1,095 to purchase IT equipment and provide basic training.

Steve Barriball, the newly-appointed Senior Awards Officer, said: 'The Awards for All scheme is specifically aimed at local community and charitable groups.

'They can apply for a grant of anything between £500 and £5,000 and we have made the process of applying as simple as we can.

'We are very keen to hear from groups with heritage projects such as reviving local customs or traditions, preserving or studying local heritage and also from groups wanting to fund projects, which involve the local community, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee this year,' he added.