COMMUNITY and voluntary groups with green ideas for Bromsgrove are being invited to apply for grants to help them improve the cleanliness of their area.

Bromsgrove District Council has released funds - given to them from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - to assist community and voluntary groups to take local action within their community, high streets and village centres.

Groups are invited to bid for up to £300 with consideration given for projects up to £1,000 where innovation or overwhelming benefit to the community is demonstrated.

The funding could contribute to environmental community clean-up projects such as litter picks, gateway planting, sign cleaning, community action days and cleansing equipment.

The funding is being administered on behalf of the council by Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN).

Interested groups can apply at https://barn.org.uk/grants

Cllr Margaret Sherrey, whose portfolio covers environmental services, said: “Climate change is a serious problem and a problem which affects us all.

"If we can all take responsibility for our local patch, then together our efforts can create a cleaner and greener future for generations to come.

"This funding is just one small step which could make a huge difference in the long run by enabling our local groups to make their environmental ideas a reality.”

Any voluntary, charitable, community group or community interest company that operates in Bromsgrove District can apply for the funding.

Only one application per community group will be accepted and all groups must have a constitution and bank account to apply.

For advice on completion of the application form, call BARN on 01527 60282 or email grants@barn.org.uk.

The bidding will close at midday on August 27 and successful bids will be informed by September 6.

Projects need to be delivered between September 6, 2019 and March 31, 2020.