PROJECT organisers in Tenbury and the Teme Valley can benefit from a new grant scheme that promises to give a cash boost to assist the improvement of local services and the quality of life for local communities.

Malvern Hills District Council has set aside £20,000 for the new Community Projects Grant Scheme, which can be used to fund both projects and equipment.

Applications for grants are welcome from local voluntary and community groups as well as charitable organisations within the district.

Supporting the scheme, the district council's newly-appointed economic development manager, Simon Smith, said: "Many different kinds of projects can be supported, such as staging a particular event, funding a pilot or one-off initiative or the purchase of new equipment.

"We are looking to support smaller scale groups rather than large-scale capital schemes and construction works and we will consider any scheme with total costs up to £10,000.''

Projects must complement the council's objectives to improve the quality of life and access to services for the local community and the final decision on successful applications will be made by July.

Mr Smith added that a grant contribution of up to 90 per cent of eligible costs of the project can be applied for up to a maximum of £1,000 per application. The applicant will be expected to match fund the grant with its own resources.

Application packs are available from Malvern Hills District Council on 01684 862199, or by emailing simon.smith@malvernhills.gov.uk.

Forms must be returned by May 31 2003 in order to qualify.