A step back in time to two villages' rich mining past was taken by a politician who wanted to see how money had been used from a grant.

Dover District Council (DDC) chairman Cllr Sue Chandler was welcomed by members of Elvington and Eythorne Heritage Group whose members had published two books thanks to the cash boost.

These focused on Waldershare and Tilmanstone Colliery and the first was compiled by authors Colin Varrall and David File while the second was written by Steve Durbidge.

The community interest company (CIC) was one of 32 groups to receive a share of £23,000 from DDC's Community Grants Scheme 2018/19.

Carol Duffield from Elvington and Eythorne Heritage Group said: “We were very pleased to receive this grant that enabled us to print and publish 200 books, including our Waldershare Heritage book that sold out in the first three months.

"The extra revenue generated from selling the books also helped us create further fundraising to help our group continue to collect, study, preserve and make our local heritage accessible to the community.”

Cllr Chandler said: “We were delighted to provide funding for the Heritage Group and it was a pleasure to meet members.

"We are very pleased to help them continue to broaden the range of local knowledge available for communities, to support this local community group, and to help make local history accessible to even more people.”

Profits from book sales go to the heritage group.

Grants are available from DDC. For more click here or email community@dover.gov.uk