The money being handed out to the organisations of Largs, Cumbrae and Fairlie is a great example of community benefit.

This was said by Drew Cochrane, chairman of the Kelburn Windfarm Trust at the awards event in the Woodhouse Hotel where £50,000 of grants were celebrated.

Mr Cochrane pointed out that not only had the Renewable Energy Systems company, RES, provided almost £200,000 of grants to scores of groups and individuals already but had pledged another million pounds over the next 20 years.

RES who operate wind turbines on the Kelburn estate part of the Largs-Dalry hills were showing the way for community benefit.

Former editor Mr Cochrane, who is also a community councillor, said the windfarm money was in stark contrast to the lack of benefit from the companies creating the hydro power stations and proposed forest on the local hillside and glens. These projects had offered little to the local area.

Among 24 organisations benefitting from grants, ranging from £500 to £5000 were golfers, anglers, football clubs, rowers, horticulturalists, gala days, family history, musicians, arts and drama clubs, and the visually impaired.

Some of the bigger grants, from the Windfarm Trust, this year went to Fairlie Sports Association, Largs Regatta, Largs Events, Cumbrae's Royal British Legion Club and Largs Resilience team. On behalf of the recipients, Mr Gerry Condron, chair of Haylie House trustees proposed a vote of thanks to RES and the Windfarm voluntary committee.

Applications for grants will be invited at the start of next year.