CASH confiscated from convicted loan sharks has been put to good use by four projects in East Yorkshire.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team, working with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, provided the money to local communities after it was seized from criminals. Almost 600 residents voted for the schemes they wanted to see benefit, with each of the chosen projects receiving £500.

The Bempton and Buckton Community Village Hall Youth Group will use the funding to provide debt management advice and tips on avoiding loan sharks, with the Pre-School Learning Alliance for Humber and York setting up activities for children using sharks as a theme, including puppet-making, colouring and games based around banks. The initiative will be used to highlight the work of Hull and East Yorkshire Credit Union with parents.

Recycling Unlimited will use their share to provide equipment, seeds and plants for a creative gardening project for people with mental health problems or who are suffering from social inclusion. Goole Rugby Union Club under-12s are to have new shirts bearing the hotline number for reporting loan sharks.

Coun Jackie Cracknell, the council’s portfolio holder for community improvement, said: “This has been a great opportunity for small local groups to use money taken from those who prey on communities to help local people learn the dangers and how to get help.”