CHILDREN and the elderly in Sandwell will benefit from the latest round of Big Lottery Fund grants of nearly £2.5 million for projects throughout the West Midlands.

The Awards for All funding is to support organisations to help improve their communities and the lives of people most in need.

Almost £10,000 has been given to the Friends of Highfields Primary School, Rowley Regis, to provide a portable canopy for extra-curricular use by pupils and the whole community.

It will provide a safe and accessible outdoor play area at the Beeches Road school.

The Meadows Sports College, Oldbury, has received a £7,500 windfall to buy interactive screen televisions for pupils who have profound and complex learning disabilities, to improve their learning and life chances.

A grant of almost £10,000 has also gone to the Oldbury-based Agewell Community Interest Company to fund weekly interactive bingo sessions.

A spokesman said: “This will provide them with the opportunity to socialise and take part in physical exercise, reducing their feelings of isolation and benefitting their wellbeing.”