GRANTS totalling over £22,000 were handed out in 15 minutes.

Six organisations and groups benefitted from South Swindon Parish Council's £22,172 cash giveaway.

In just 15 minutes, councillors gave out:

:: £2,000 for Swindon City of Sanctuary's programme of events for Refugee Week;

:: Old Town Rotary Club got £1,000 for folding tables and chairs for use at their annual fundraising duck race;

:: £400 for Swindon Women's Aid to hold a Victory Breakfast marking the anniversary of votes for women;

:: A grant of £9,605 for the Mechanics Institution Trust's Children's Fete. The trust also got £2,000 for the refurbishment of an old toilet block;

:: Swindon Civic Voice got £400 for a Civic Day event later this year;

:: A plea for security and first aid cover at Armed Forces Day was rewarded with a £1,767 grant.

Only a request from Old Town Residents Association for flower planters and compost was turned down. Parish councillors said they needed to speak to the residents' group to make sure their plans fitted with the parish aim to make improvements in Lawns Park.

Following the meeting, Mechanics Institution Trust chief Daniel Rose thanked the parish for a £5,000 grant to turn the old Bakers Arms pub in the Railway Village into a community café.

He said: "We hope to welcome our first customers and local residents to the café very shortly."