GRANTS totalling £5,000 have been awarded to two Watford-based charities by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

The Disability Recreation Unity Movement (DRUM) will receive £1,000 a year for the next three years and the South West Hertfordshire Community Transport Scheme will get a grant of £2,000 f rom the foundation.

The foundation receives donations from companies and individuals which it passes on to the charities in the form of grants.

Since it was formed 11 years ago it has handed out £800,000 to groups across the county.

DRUM is run by disabled people to provide advice, information and leisure services to disabled people in Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere.

The cash it will receive in the three annual grants will go towards materials for leisure activities and the cost of running its mini bus.

The South West Hertfordshire Community Transport Scheme is being set up to cotrol a fleet of mini-buses and other vehicles to be used by voluntary organisation in Watford Three Rivers and Hertsmere.

Hertfordshire Community Foundation director Mr Tony Gilbert described its role, saying: 'We are really here to do two things; one is to make grants that will help local charities to serve our community and the other is to provide a simple way for people to give to local causes here in Hertfordshire.'

To make donations, contact Mr Gilbert on 01707 251351.