A skate park, an outdoor gym and a basketball court were among the projects shortlisted for cash from Surrey County Council’s community fund.

They are among the 17 bids from community groups that a panel of councillors has recommended should be the first to receive a share of the £750,000 pot of cash.

Other bidders getting the panel’s vote from the first wave of applications include scouts wanting to renovate their premises, a group looking to create an outdoor fitness area and a community aiming to transform disused land into a focal point for their neighbourhood.

Surrey’s leader Councillor David Hodge set up the community improvements fund to support projects that make a difference in local areas.

Councillor Nick Skellett, chairman of the panel, said: “There has been a fantastic response and there were many great examples of how the county council and residents can join together to make Surrey an even better place to live.

“I’m delighted to say there were many more excellent proposals to improve community life and we’ll look at these and new ones over the coming months with a view to helping more groups enhance the areas where they live.”

Coun Hodge will consider the panel’s recommendations on May 24.