British JNF has committed £8.3 million to support dozens of projects in the Negev towns and villages of Israel, a huge increase from the £5.1 million given in 2015.

The decision was made to increase the funding at the end of a three-day whirlwind mission by JNF UK's trustees to Israel to view projects the charity supports.

These range from renovating kindergartens to building sports grounds and launching a state-of-the-art business centre.

One of the more unusual schemes Hashomer HaChadash - or the "New Guard" - is a sort of Guardian Angels enterprise which was established in 2007 to combat theft and cattle rustling in the Negev. Now the group operates all over Israel in part thanks to funding from JNF UK.

Samuel Hayek, JNF UK chair, said: "We are very proud to be able to commit a significantly increased amount of money to our projects in the south of Israel this year, due to the wonderful generosity of our donors and legators."

He said initiatives that would benefit from the money included the establishment of a business hub in the town of Mitzpe Ramon, to attract new residents and boost the economy, upgrading 17 state kindergartens in Kiryat Malachi, and renovating the main cultural facility and youth centre in the city of Arad".