COMMUNITY groups, clubs and societies are being invited to apply for grants from Malvern Hills Lions Club.

The club gave out more than £3,000 in last year's community grants scheme, supported by the Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, and it is set to do the same again.

The money has been raised by the Lions' fundraising activities throughout the year, the main one being the sponsored walk on the Malvern Hills in May.

Club spokesman Brian Larner said: "The aim is to give direct help to smaller groups working in the community, who can make a difference given some financial assistance.

"We don't give money just to go in their general funds, but for requests to purchase specific items."

Last year, the Urchins Tots to Teens group, in Ledbury, were given £186 to buy two "persona dolls" to help youngsters with their language development.

Anne Locke, of Urchins, said: "We've called them Billy Junior and Kenai and they are very popular with the children, who are a bit shy about speaking. The children like to speak to us through the dolls.

"We're very grateful to the Lions for their generosity, because the dolls were very expensive."

Applications must include the name of the person applying and their organisation, plus a phone number. They must also outline the organisation's objective and the specific purpose of the grant.

Applications have to be sent to the Lions Club Grant Scheme, Malvern Gazette, Broads Bank, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2HP, by Friday, November 25.