A DRAGON'S Den-style pitch session has been organised by a community affected by the 2017 ash cloud.

High Valleyfield Community Council has received a £10,000 grant from Scottish Power Generation Assets Limited after a dust cloud caused by emissions from the Low Valleyfield ash lagoons.

The money will go to funding projects that are focused on environmental improvements, renewable energy or energy efficiency.

Scottish Power pledged this money after it was found they breached their permit and committed offences under pollution prevention and control regulations.

Groups that want to apply for a piece of this funding must have a committee, a constitution or work with the community centre. Applicants will then attend a Dragons' Den-style pitching session on Wednesday where they will outline their project.

The community council will then decide who will get funding.

Robert McKenzie, vice-chair of the council, told the Press: "Following that dust cloud, the emissions from the ash lagoons a few years ago, the liaison group and the elected councillors fought tooth and nail to try and get some compensation. We managed to do that eventually!

"They've decided to give us £10,000 and that is to each community council in the area."

Community councils in Low Valleyfield, High Valleyfield, Torryburn and Newmills, Culross and Kincardine have all received the grant.

Robert continued: "We've managed to get a few groups involved and hopefully they can come up with a Dragons' Den pitch and give us their views on what they would like the money to be used for."

All applicants must apply for a slot by emailing High Valleyfield Community Council at martinc869@aol.com and outline details of their project, a proposed timeline and an approximate funding amount that they will be asking for.