THREE community groups in the East End have won prizes which will help them connect to the internet. They have just picked up a BT Community Connections award and a laptop and year s wireless broadband connection. The winners include Bethnal Green Unite

THREE community groups in the East End have won prizes which will help them connect to the internet.

They have just picked up a BT Community Connections award and a laptop and year's wireless broadband connection.

The winners include Bethnal Green United FC which runs organised football coaching sessions to seven to 25-year-olds.

They get involved in competitive league football and also offers social activities. Bromley-by-Bow Community Organisation which helps residents of the Coventry Cross estate with activities including with training courses, luncheon clubs, food co-ops and cultural activities.

The Tower Hamlets based Mahua Youth Project which gets young people involved in sport and helps them explore Asian arts has also won an award.

Competition for the awards was fierce with more than 2,000 groups from around the country applying - nearly twice as many as last year.