Up to �20,000 in funding is available for a grants scheme for community groups based in the Broadland area or delivering a service in the district, but applications must be submitted by Thursday March 24.

Broadland District Council's (BDC) Community Grants programme offers grants from �500 to �20,000 to part-fund a wide range of activities, such as ongoing outreach services, community events or building work, to a village hall for example.

There is advice on BDC's website on how to write an application - just one form in plain English regardless of how much you want to apply for - and how to create the accompanying documents required if the group doesn't already have them.

Council leader, Simon Woodbridge, said: 'These grants are to help improve local facilities and community life. We've decided to go ahead with the programme despite the savings everyone has to make, because we believe that our community groups are best placed to make limited resources work effectively to the benefit of everyone in their neighbourhood.'

For more information and an application form visit www.broadland.gov.uk/communitygrants or call 01603 430620.