VOLUNTARY and community groups in Redditch are being invited to bid for the latest round of grants of up to £500 from the borough council.

Stronger Communities grants support local, community-focused projects and the third round of applications for the year 2015-16 opened on Monday, August 3.

The Redditch Youth and Community Enterprise’s activities for young people during summer holidays and the Yum Tum Club’s community smoothie bike were among the projects funded in the previous round of Stronger Communities grants.

Head of community services Judith Willis said: “In Redditch we have a really strong sense of community and this is because of the work carried out by organisations and voluntary groups who dedicate their time and skills to our borough.

“We remain committed to supporting voluntary and community projects across the borough and understand how important they are to the local area.”

Stronger Communities grants are made available in three rounds each year as one part of the borough council’s wider annual grants programme.

Applications to the final round of Stronger Communities funding can be made from now until Friday, September 4 at 4pm.

Groups do not need to be formally constituted to apply.

For more information, contact the council's grants team on 01527 64252 ext. 3015 or email grants.team@redditchbc.gov.uk.