VITAL community projects in Taunton and Wellington have been threatened by a major Government funding cut for Somerset.

The county's Children's Fund, which aims to tackle child poverty, will be slashed by 13 pwer cent next year witha 33 per cent cut the following year.

The Children's Fund, administered by Barnardos in Somerset, has been operating since April last year and was originally given a three year funding package of £3.6 million.