Ethnic minority groups have been given a £105,523 boost from the Government to help improve their representation (Oct 10).

The Wycombe Race Equality Council (REC) is delighted that it has been successful in its bid to gain the funding from the Home Office, which will help marginalised minority ethnic communities in the region.

The REC is one of five organisations in the south east to be awarded the funding after winning a bid for the cash under the Connecting Communities Scheme.

And it will be using the funding to promote black and ethnic representation in the Oxfordshire and and Buckinghamshire Probation service to help reflect the local community.

Home Office minister Mike O'Brien, said: "The projects we are funding are diverse, exciting and innovative and I think will make a real difference to people living in those communities in the south east of England, some of whom have felt marginalised in the past.

Ranjit Dheer, director of Wycombe REC, said: "We are very pleased about the success of the application. The funding will give us a much needed opportunity to extend our partnership with one of the major statutory agencies in the area."