FRIENDS groups which support organisations, charities and public places in Yate are to receive a helping hand.

Yate Town Council is hoping to ensure groups such as the Friends of Brimsham Park, Yate Train Station and Kingsgate Park survive by offering advice and expertise.

The council will also carry out routine administration tasks on groups’ behalf under plans drawn up by councillors.

Cllr Mike Robbins said: "I went to a recent meeting of the Friends of Brimsham Park and it looked like it was in serious need of bolstering up.

"It was in a state of collapse.

"The group has £2,800 in grants for making disabled platforms for fishing off but they don’t know how to go about spending the money."

Cllr Sue Walker said: "I go to several friends group and if the town council were able to give a bit of administration support it would really be a big help.

"If we were involved the groups could concentrate their efforts on what they should be doing instead of getting bogged down with administration."

The council will write to South Gloucestershire Council, which owns and manages Brimsham Park, asking for help with the friends group and requesting it takes over responsibility of the park.