Hamilton's Conservative councillors backed proposals to give 44 community groups a welcome cash boost.

Clubs for young people and senior citizens are among those set to share almost £11,000 in community grants after the decision by South Lanarkshire Council's Hamilton Area Committee.

Hamilton West and Earnock's Councillor Mark McGeever is a spokesman for the South Lanarkshire Conservatives.

He said: "These groups bring people together and play an important role in the wellbeing of our communities.

"It's absolutely right we do what we can to support them.

"The relatively small amounts of money they get from community grants can go a very long way, making a vital contribution to a club's running costs or helping to fund an outing for members.

"This was the first meeting of the Hamilton Area Committee since last month's local elections and it was fitting that it saw councillors unanimously get behind our local groups."

The committee includes every councillor elected from wards in Hamilton, Blantyre, Bothwell, Uddingston and Larkhall.

It met on Wednesday (21 June) to consider applications for the awards, with councillors of all parties approving the proposed grants.