A COMMUNITY group in Ellesmere Port is sitting comfortably thanks to a near-£1,400 donation from a housebuilder.

Redrow, which has donated more than £55,000 to projects in the west Cheshire area in the last five years, has donated the sum to install two benches in the centre of Little Sutton, following a request from Little Sutton Sapphires WI.

Funding came from Redrow's voluntary community funds pot.

Dozens of good causes have benefited from the funds, linked to homes being built across West Cheshire including those at Ledsham Garden Village and The Pastures, in Backford Cross.

President of Little Sutton Sapphires WI Adele Hewitt said: “Since forming in 2016 we have fundraised for several community projects and applied to Redrow for help to replace a bench in the village.

"We were lucky enough to receive enough funds to buy two benches. By providing somewhere for people to stop and rest, the benches are helping encourage villagers to shop closer to home and support the local economy. They are also helping with community spirit as people are stopping to chat to one another as they pass.”

The benches are less than a mile from Redrow’s Ledsham Garden Village, a scheme of circa 2,000 homes set amid 100 acres of open space.

Redrow area sales manager Amanda Hollins said: “We’ve offered a series of community funds linked to Ledsham Garden Village, helping to ensure that as the neighbourhood grows it remains a great place to live.

"The WI’s request for a bench captured our attention as it has multiple benefits – encouraging people to stay fit and active by walking instead of relying on cars; providing somewhere to stop and chat and supporting local businesses. All of these factors have become much more important as a result of the pandemic.”