THE standard of Malvern’s young athletes has been praised following a number of applications for the second year of a grant scheme.

The Joanna Brown Trust, which was set up in memory of a former Malvern woman who died in 2008, is offering grants of up to £500 to athletes aged under 18 in the Malvern Hills district and has received 23 applicants for the four grants.

Run in partnership with Malvern Hills District Council the grants will help cover the cost of equipment, coaching, transport and competing.

Richard Brown, Joanna’s brother, said: “It shows how many good athletes there are in the area. It has been a very difficult job making the shortlist.

“A lot of the young athletes who applied last year have applied again and it is amazing to see how much some of them have improved. It is a wonderful legacy to leave in Joanna’s name.”

Applicants will find out if they have been successful on Friday, November 4 and will attend the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire County Sports Awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 16 at Worcester Warriors’ Sixways stadium to receive their grant.

For more information go to thejoannabrowntrust.org.