TWELVE local charities and groups have benefited from an early Christmas present from Milford Haven Town Council.

A total of £1,500 was awarded this year, with the largest sum going to Christmas Together – a festive party for people who will otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day.

The event, which provides entertainment and a free festive lunch for around 100 people, is run entirely on donations, so the £400 gift was a real boost.

And a Christmas lunch for the elderly, organised by members of Milford Haven Youth Council, was helped on its way with a £200 cash injection.

At a meeting of Town Council’s finance and general purposes committee in November, Cllr Stephen Joseph praised the young people for taking the initiative to help older people.

Donations of £100 were also made to Hakin National Federation of OAPs, the Haven Club, Milford Haven Darby and Joan Club, Milford Haven Swimming Club, National Federation of Retirement Pensioners Association, Priory Project, Milford Haven Round Table, RVS Hubberston and Hakin Luncheon Club, and the Salvation Army.

The annual scheme awards money to local charities and groups who are organising a Christmas activity on behalf of the people of Milford Haven.

For the first time, this year’s recipients were required to apply to the council, stating how the money would be spent, and how it would benefit the people of the town.