HS2 has given more than £1.4million to community projects in Warwickshire, the county council has revealed.

Locally, £74,500 was given to the town council for its 'Kenilworth is Open for Business' project, whilst Warwick Arts Centre was given £250,000 for its '20:20' revamp.

In total 28 schemes across the county have been given funding over the past five years by the high speed rail developers.

Criticised in Balsall Common for 'failing to respect the human rights' of residents, HS2 has given the money for village hall refurbishments, new play areas, nature reserves improvements, better sports facilities and town centre promotion across the county.

Kenilworth Town Council's funding is being used to bolster the council's online presence through social media and a new website.

The council has also shared new activity trails and tourist information to get more people to visit the town.

Cllr Wallace Redford, WCC's portfolio holder for transport, said the £1,400,093 would all benefit local people.

"We are delighted people are pulling together and successfully bidding for HS2 funding.

"We wish them well with delivering the projects and hope they will be enjoyed by local communities for many years to come.   

"Whether people agree with the HS2 scheme or not, it is important that Warwickshire is allocated a fair share of this funding pot.

"I want to encourage more local groups to bid for a share of HS2 funding to gain some benefit for the places affected by the construction and operation of the railway.† 

For more information about HS2 works near Kenilworth, see our latest article here.