The Guildhall was packed out last night for the Mayor's annual cocktail party.

Cllr Bernard Butcher took to the stage with his wife Margaret to hand out cheques to the good causes in the Sandwich community.

Among those that received money from the Mayor's fund was the Friends of Poulders Play Area, receiving £150 and Sir Roger Manwood's CCF band which received £100.

Many more community organisations were also awarded funds on the night.

Cllr Butcher praised the hard-working people who had contributed to the community as well as the town hall staff.

He also awarded Harry Hunt, 86, of Richborough Road, with the Civic Award for all his achievements over the years as a scout leader.

Mr Hunt said: "I'm very pleased and very surprised.

"I was with the scouts for a long time, over 30 years, and I designed and built the scout hut."

For the full story read next week's East Kent Mercury.