COUNCIL volunteering grants have helped pay to create five new football teams in south Oxfordshire.

The district council's pilot scheme has also funded extra athletics coaching, a new archery judge and volunteer befrienders so far.

A total of £25,000 was made available earlier this year to give out to groups who need help to recruit and train new volunteers.

Grants of between £250 and £750 are available to cover costs for example, training as a sports coach or the additional insurance needed to be a volunteer driver.

Local teams Didcot Casuals Football Club and Benson United Football Club had each been given £705 and £538 respectively which will allow them to train new coaches and create five new teams collectively.

Horspath-based Oxford City Athletics Club is set to receive £750 towards the cost of training more athletic coaches while charity Enrych Oxfordshire will get £750 towards costs for four new volunteers to befriend and support physically disabled adults.

Wallingford Castle Archers is set to receive a £750 volunteering grant to help with training a new archery judge.

To find out more about the grant, eligibility and how to apply see southoxon.gov.uk/volunteering