Grants worth £1,150 have been handed out by Helston Town Council to charities and organisations in the town.

Among those given a funding boost are Helston and District Town Twinning Association, which was awarded £100 of the £900 asked for to help celebrate 45 years of twinning between Helston and Sasso Marconi in Italy.

The association is organising a number of events, including planned exchanges between Helston Community College and schools in the Sasso area.

It is also hoped that a commemorative tree can be planted and the group is in negotiations with the Culdrose Volunteer Band, which has shown interest in visiting Sasso and giving a concert.

The Mayor of Sasso and Princess Elettra, Marconi's daughter, are considering visiting Helston to celebrate with the town.

A bilingual cook book, which has been in the making for a few years, featuring Italian recipes - many from Marconi's house keeper Nonna Zelinda - is also an intention.

Part of the grant application was to cover the cost of another 12 months' hire cost of the Guildhall, following a decision by the town council last year to start charging the association for its meetings there.

The award of £100 means that only the hire of the hall will be covered by the grant and fundraising will now begin by group members to cover the celebration plans.

Ruth Bywaters, secretary for the twinning group, said Helston and District Town Twinning Association was grateful for the money and the support they received from the town council.

Councillor Mike Thomas had proposed a £400 grant but councillor Niall Devenish failed to see the significance of 45 years, as opposed to 40 or 50 years.

His proposal of £100 was supported by the majority of members, although mayor Jonathan Radford-Gaby asked for his name to be recorded in protest.

Other grants made from the £1,328 available included £100 to the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, and £200 to the Cornwall Blind Association.

The council also agreed to give £150 to the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival and £100 to Helston Flora Day Association - up from the £63 requested.

Sithney Cornish Wrestling Club was awarded £400, while The Pollen Count headed by Suky Goodfellow was given £100 towards an art event taking place in the town's Old Cattle Market on Easter Saturday.

This event will involve interpretations of Helston folk legends.