15 Welsh community and environmental projects are to receive almost £3m from the Big Lottery Fund through the People and Places programme.

The £66m programme was established in 2005 with the aim of revitalising communities and enhancing the local environment and has now been extended to accept applications until mid-2011.

Among the projects receiving the latest bumper funds are the British Red Cross Society which received over £242,000 to set up a new mobile service for vulnerable people with mobility problems, Crest Co-operative which received almost £247,000 to establish a Welsh Fare Share scheme which will distribute surplus in-date food to those in need, and Canolfan Felin Fach Centre Limited, which will use its £152,000 to open an allotment to help those with mental health or addiction related problems.

Big Lottery Fund Wales committee member and chair of the People and Places Committee, Janet Reed, said: “Programmes like People and Places are making a difference to the lives of so many people in communities across Wales. It delivers on our promise to use Lottery funding to regenerate and revitalise communities, tackle disadvantage head on and leave a lasting legacy.”

Read more about the People and Places programme.