CROWDS packed into the Lifestyle Centre to decide which worthy local causes would get a cut of council funding as part of the third annual Your Money Your Choice event.

Residents listened to ten local organisations bidding for a share of a £5,000 pot set aside by Winsford Town Council on October 15.

Part of the audience had been chosen at random to vote on which bids they felt were most likely to help improve the quality of life of the people of Winsford – with presentations ranging from local sports clubs to beekeeping initiatives.

Town mayor, councillor Gina Lewis, said “Winsford Town Council was the first local council in Cheshire to organise an event such as this, when a public audience, rather than councillors, decided how part of the council’s budget was spent.

“This year our audience had an even more difficult task, with ten totally different worthy causes.

“Although inevitably, some organisations went home feeling a little disappointed, the very fact that we had so many applications demonstrated the wonderful and diverse work being carried out by so many local organisations here in Winsford.

“The voting audience will be invited to meet again in six months time to hear from each of the successful applicants on how their projects are progressing.”

As the final presentation ended, the tension rose as the votes were collected and counted.

Councillor Lewis then announced the six successful bids as:- Winsford Academy for their Community Garden project.

Mid-Cheshire MIND towards heating their shop unit.

Over Allotments Association’s ‘A Taste of Honey’ beekeeping project.

Winsford United Football Club towards redecoration of their changing rooms.

Cheshire Media Academy towards new media equipment for young people.

Royal British Legion Winsford Branch towards the cost of an event to celebrate 70 years since the end of The Second World War.