TWO charities that have supported Malmesbury residents for decades have joined forces to better serve the community.

The Malmesbury Community Trust has amalgamated with the Elizabeth Hodges Trust to form the Malmesbury Area Community Trust.

The Elizabeth Hodges Trust was built on bequeathed funds in the will of Elizabeth Hodges in 1723 to assist local people.

The trust supports people with low and restricted income who require financial support to help with educational needs.

The Malmesbury Community Trust’s focus was on supporting the elderly. The trust do this in a number of ways including providing grants when residents find themselves in life-threatening emergencies.

Carole Soden, chairman of the joint trust, says the combined efforts will “benefit more people”.

“We have worked together for the last three years,” she said.

“By putting [the trusts] together we can do more and spread money to new places. It’ll mean money available in the joint pot

“The Malmesbury Community Trust started out with us wanting to help old people, and that was extended to vulnerable people.

“We will now also help in educational things and help with community projects, such as the Oaksey playground committee we supported last week.

“We’ll not just be helping Malmesbury, but villages in community area as well.”

Town councillor Kim Power is vice-chairwoman of the joint trust. She said: "This is a no-fuss trust run by local people for local people.

"Individuals and groups within the Malmesbury community area can apply for financial assistance for a variety of reasons.

"Examples of grants made and how to apply are on our website."

For more information about the joint trust visit mact.org.uk