Irvine’s Harbourside Men’s Shed Irvine received £8,661 in grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The group, welcomed the additional funding which they say will help set up their workshop and kitchen area.

Secretary Colin Daye said: “This will allow up to fit out our workshop, kitchen and quiet workspace area. In addition it will provide funding so that we can fit a fire alarm system and several extinguishers and fire blankets. Once the kitchen is up and running we hope to provide cookery classes to our members as many of them live alone and have only very basic kitchen skills.

“It will also help those who have found themselves, through age or infirmity of a loved one, having to prepare meals for the first time in their lives.”