AN upcycling store in Sutton is one of 11 community groups awarded a share of £115,000 to help the region reduce, re-use and recycle more.

Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA) and Veolia Community Fund 19/20 have put forward the grant set up to help support waste prevention, re-use and recycling initiatives.

The eleven organisations came through a two-stage process to clinch the funding which will give them the financial resource to deliver waste-reducing behavioural change projects across the region.

ReStore St Helens based in Sutton received funding for staff support at the shop where volunteers upcycle donated/unwanted furniture which is then sold to the general public.

Councillor Tony Concepcion, chairman of MRWA, said: “The best Community Fund projects are those that help deliver re-use and waste reduction messages directly to local residents – using groups’ expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of particular areas and the people who live there.

"I wish these projects all the best and look forward to seeing the impact they have.”