WESTFIELD Church in Bridgwater more than £200,000 in funding to improve its facilities and employ a new community support worker.

The project was one of six to benefit from the first grants from the Hinkley Point C Community Fund Strategic Grants Programme, landing £210,400 for the cause.

Chris Baillie, minister at Westfield and Cannington United Reform Churches, said it was a huge boost.

"New possibilities always bring new challenges, but when communities are strong they cope better.

"Our new Community Work post, and improved community facilities, will allow us to offer support to individuals and groups in both town and countryside.

"This grant enables us to extend and improve what we can offer in times of rapid changes.”

The money will allow the church to upgrade the Church Hall so that it can become a 'hub for community support'.

St George's Church in Wembdon also received £11,666 which will go toward providing community outreach, events and support.

Ed Moll, senior minister of St George’s Church, Wembdon said: “I am excited about this next chapter in the life of the Parish Centre, and about the possibilities the HPC Community Fund grant affords us for serving everyone in our local area - especially the most vulnerable.

"I look forward to forging interesting partnerships along the way as we increase our reach into the community.”

Justin Sargent, CEO at Somerset Community Foundation which administers the grants, said: “In our first year of running the Hinkley Point C Community Fund grants programme we have focused on investing in projects that strengthen and enhance local communities and services.

"We’re delighted that these organisations, all of whom work in areas that are impacted by the construction of Hinkley C, have been successful with their applications.

"Their projects will not only improve and enrich the quality of people’s lives, but also contribute to the overall well-being and sustainability of their communities.”

David Eccles, head of stakeholder engagement for EDF said: "The projects funded in this first round appear to match our ambitions in supporting the local community perfectly.”