MORE than �630 worth of prizes will be given away to one lucky winner as part of a Clevedon community project.

Businesses from across the town have donated items or services to be awarded in the first Community Connect raffle and so far their value totals �634.

Community Connect has been set up by Clevedon-based company, Triangle Telecom, to encourage people to make more use of their local shops and in return, the businesses involved will put something back into their neighbourhood.

As part of efforts to increase interest in the scheme, the grand raffle has been organised to be drawn just in time for Christmas, with prizes including a Pullins Christmas hamper, Curzon cinema tickets, a house cleaning service, an office chair from D&D Office Supplies, a haircut at Adam’s Barbershop and free carveries at The Old Inn. Tickets, priced �1, can be bought online at www.mycommunityconnect.co.uk or from Global Independent Travel in Chapel Hill.

The creators of Community Connect at Triangle Telecom soon hope to establish a free wifi network in Clevedon town centre and are in talks with the owners of a building where it could be operated from as well as a potential sponsor.

The network will allow shoppers to visit the Community Connect website to see what deals and offers are being put on by traders in the area. Also on the website, people are able to recommend good causes which could benefit from donations of time or money from participating businesses.

* To find out more about Community Connect and how to get involved email ed.dench@triangletelecom.co.uk