More than 100 people took part in the Drighlington Big Spender Project, hearing presentations on a range of projects before voting on the ones they felt were most deserving.

As a result grants were given to a range of projects helping children, teenagers and the elderly.

Coun Robert Finnigan (MBI, Morley North) who attended the meeting said: "I was delighted with the turn out from Drighlington residents. The meeting hall was almost full and the audience enjoyed every presentation."

Sarah Henderson, a project officer with the South East Leeds area management team, said: "It was a really good partnership between the local community, parish council, the area committee and Aire Valley Homes."

She added: "We cannot say just now if it is going to be used in other areas until it has been evaluated but in terms of the actual day it was extremely successful, with 120 or 130 people involved in the event and just under 80 people voting."

On the day 11 groups gave presentations, explaining why they deserved a share of the £30,000 on offer from Leeds City Council, the Outer South Area Committee and Aire Valley Homes.

Each were given three minutes to present their case and residents were then asked to fill in voting cards, allocating points on the basis of community benefit, acheivability and value for money.

The biggest winners were the Drighlington ARLFC which has been given a grant of £11,262.25 for a children's summer and IT club.

The Morley 10th Scouts will receive £2,584 for new flooring for the community building and £4,053.75 to create a safe outdoor area for camping.

The Youth Service now has £2,200 to provide summer activities and trips for young people and The Morley Neighbourhood Police Team has been given £2,400 to spend on mountain bikes to help them patrol the area.

Older people will also benefit, with the Drighlington Pensioners Association and Senior Citizens being given £3,000 to pay for trips and transport for members.

Finally, Drighlington Parish Council was awarded £4,500 to create a quiet garden with seating and picnic tables.

Four schemes were unsuccessful in their bids for funding including a plan by Drighlington Primary School to provide activities for children aged eight to 11, a sports leaders award scheme suggested by Drighlington ARLFC and a planned summer dance week for nine to 11-year-olds proposed by DAZL.

Groundwork will also have to find the money elsewhere if they want to follow through on their plan to improve the environment in the village centre and on the Oakwell and Fairfax estates.

Coun Robert Finnigan added: "Local residents have been empowered and have been directly involved in the decision making process. I am delighted at how the event has been welcomed by local people and it is a credit to Drighlington that the process was so enthusiastically endorsed."