PUPILS at Overmonnow Primary School are to benefit from a grant of £30,000, thanks to the Tri-Service Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme.

The Meeting the Needs charity at the school will use the money to redevelop an existing audio-visual room.

Monmouthshire County Council is working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to support community projects that promote better understanding between the armed forces and general public.

The council also created an armed forces community covenant, which aims to: encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas; nurture public understanding and awareness of the issues affecting the armed forces community; recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces community; encourage activities that help to integrate the armed forces community into local life; and encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community.

The chairman of Monmouthshire County Council and Armed Forces Champion, councillor John Prosser, said: "This is a wonderful example of the council embracing partnership working to deliver services and facilities to residents. "This grant will help to update and modernise the facilities within the school, to create a first-class learning environment for some of our most vulnerable children. The redevelopment will help to create a modern, inspirational place to learn and I know it will be very much appreciated by staff, pupils and parents."

Meeting the Needs was set up in 1999, to help raise funds for specialised resources and equipment for Overmonnow Primary School. The school has close links with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia), members of which visited the school on Wednesday to mark the announcement of the grant. Work on the sensory room will start in the new year.

Councillor Prosser added: "The covenant aims to promote better understanding between the armed forces and general public, and funding is available for projects that help achieve this. Applications for grants ranging from £100 to £250,000 can be submitted from voluntary groups, public bodies, community projects and charities.

"However, time is running out to apply for a grant, so contact the council as soon as possible if you think your project could benefit. Support and guidance is available to help you through the application process."

To apply for an MOD community covenant grant or for more information, contact 01600 710623,