PRIDE in the borough is on the increase thanks to the award of 15 Civic Pride funds.

The ward of Richmond South has benefited most from the scheme, which sees the council give £2 for every pound raised by local groups for proposed improvement to the environment.

Councillor for Richmond South, Frances Bouchier, said: "It was with enormous pleasure that I learnt four projects of Richmond South have received money."

The four projects are: l The development of a new path with uplighters in Grove Gardens for the path to Grove Gardens Chapel, awarded £3,000 and supported by the Environment Trust for Richmond upon Thames l The replacement of street lights in the Alberts, awarded £3,000 and supported by the Alberts Residents Association l Improving the pedestrian link between Old Deer car park and the green, proposed by the Richmond Environmental Information Centre and awarded £3,000 l The erection of a permanent information board at the bottom of Old Palace Lane covering the history and development of the park, proposed by the Richmond Society and awarded £2,400.

Other projects awarded funding include the building of an all year round quiet seated area at Whitton School, supported by the Whitton School Association, the planting of 30 plane trees on Mortlake and Barnes Common to replace lost trees, supported by the Barnes Community Association, and an investment into the development of playing fields at Cranford, supported by the Friends of the River Crane Environment.

Council leader Tony Arbour commented: "These schemes were all local initiatives from groups who showed their commitment to them by putting up their own money to ensure that they succeeded.

"This is a real demonstration of Civic Pride. I hope that we can build on the success of this pilot scheme and demonstrate that in every ward that Civic Pride can be a catalyst for improvement."