A WASTE management company is helping to fund community projects in North and South Wiltshire.

Viridor Waste Management, based at landfill sites in Calne and Westbury, has invested more than £500,000 in projects with Community First, which supports community initiatives across the region.

And the funding, which is matched by Wiltshire County Council and other public and voluntary organisations, has helped a raft of schemes including playgroups and conservation projects.

Westbury Leigh church was converted into a thriving village community centre thanks to funding help from Viridor.

Community First director Kenneth Grimes said: "The partnership between Viridor and the voluntary and public sectors has been mutually beneficial and the landfill tax credit scheme has been a model for future inter-sector co-operation. We hope to continue this very successful partnership."

Projects have ranged from the refurbishment, extension and construction of village halls and play areas to the repairing of historic and architecturally interesting buildings.