A Norwich community association hopes to attract thousands of people to its summer festival – with a little help from Comic Relief Community Cash.

Mile Cross Community Association is applying for a Community Cash grant to pay the running costs of the 30th Mile Cross Community Festival, which attracted more than 3,500 people last year.

The money is needed to fund stewards and toilet facilities for the event held on Saturday July 2 from 12pm till 4pm at Sloughbottom Park, Mile Cross.

Kevin Wyer, 53, secretary of the association and festival organiser, said: 'We are hoping to have as many community groups as possible coming along and taking part in the festival. Last year we had 29 community groups from across Norwich and 29 different stalls. They offered everything from face painting to fundraising for local charities.'

This year the show looks set to offer another bumper line-up of fun, games and activities, including a classic car show where motoring enthusiasts can showcase their prize automobiles and motorbikes.

Mr Wyer said: 'Our festival has been running for 29 years and every year it costs more money to run. The small income we get is not enough and the grant-giving bodies have been drying up over the years.

'So things like community cash are essential, without it we would be really struggling.'

Small organisations have the chance to apply for a wedge of �50,000 as part of this year's Evening News and Red Nose Day Community Cash Campaign. The grants between �500 and �1,000 are available to groups with an income of less than �50,000 in the past year, who are in the Norwich City Council area, and are working within a disadvantaged or deprived community. Forms can be obtained by writing to Red Nose Day Community Cash, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE.

Application forms can also be picked up from the Evening News office at Prospect House or downloaded from www.eveningnews.co.uk. The deadline is Friday, March 18.

For more information about the 30th Mile Cross Community Festival and 2nd Classic Vehicle Show visit milecrosscommunity.btck.co.uk or email mxca.norwich@ntlworld.com

Are you raising money for Comic Relief? Contact reporter Ben Woods on 01603 772439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk.