AN architect-designed bus shelter, pre-school play area and a new scheme to respond to medical emergencies benefited from grants voted by the Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale Neighbourhood Forum.

Residents approved a grant of £1,000 to Dent Parish Council to pay architects for designing a substantial shelter next to the village car-park and £500 to Dent Pre-School Association towards an all-weather wheelchair and pushchair access to a garden and play area.

Kirkby Lonsdale's First Responder scheme, where a group of trained first-aiders will be on stand-by to attend emergencies and offer resuscitation or defibrillation until an ambulance arrives, was awarded £250 towards start-up costs.

Kirkby Lonsdale and District Civic Society received £100 towards the purchase of a neck microphone, amplifier and loud speaker and Kirkby Lonsdale Institute was voted £500 towards purchase of a digital piano.