A volunteer who has worked tirelessly to help transform the Bury St Edmunds estate she has always lived on has received a £10,000 grant from Asda.

Janice Scott, 53, who helped form the Priors Estate Action Group three years ago, said the surprise of a Christmas grant from the Asda Foundation left her “speechless”.

Janice, who recently received an award for her volunteer work on the estate, has organised fun community activities, refurbished play areas and hosted sports days and other events.

The grant money will go toward a new minibus to take local residents on day trips.

Asda community champion Michelle Frost and store manager Kevin Kappes sprang the surprise when they went along to help serve a festive meal for elderly residents from the estate at All Saints Church.

Janice said: “I was speechless – it was such a shock and it hasn’t sunk in. It was really emotional.

“I saw the cheque wrapped up in wrapping paper and I thought it was the £1,000 Asda Foundation grant given to us to go towards our Christmas parties for senior citizens and local children.

“It was such a shock to count the number of noughts and realise it was a £10,000 cheque. The £1,000 made a massive difference so it’s hard to put into words what a difference £10,000 will make.

“We need a minibus to take people from the estate on days out – like taking the elderly to the theatre and the children to the seaside and on camping trips.

“A lot of people on the estate can’t afford their own transport.

“We lost our pub in 2014 so a few of us got together and set up the action group. We all put in £50 to start it. Since then we’ve had fun days, parties for children and senior citizens and it’s just gone from strength to strength.”

Michelle said: “When I first found out this group were going to receive this surprise grant I cried – they’re such an amazing group and Janice is incredible.

“I’ve been like an excited child keeping this grant a surprise! The whole day was phenomenal.

“I first met Janice and the group when they approached me to see if they could get any funding from the Green Token Giving scheme towards refurbishing an old play area for the kids. They received funding and it all went from there.”