VOLUNTARY and community groups are invited to bid for the latest round of grants of up to £500 from Redditch Borough Council.

The 'Stronger Communities' grants support local community-focused projects, and the first round of applications for this year opened on Monday, January 16.

The last round of the grants saw an evening out at the Palace Theatre and a Polish support group funded, amongst other activities.

Borough Council head of community services Judith Willis said: "In Redditch we have a really strong sense of community and this is in no small part due to the work carried out by people in organisations and voluntary groups who dedicate their time and skills.

"We remain committed to supporting these projects across the borough and understand their importance to the local area."

Stronger Communities grants are made available to groups, which do not have to be formally constituted to apply, in three rounds every year as part of the borough council’s wider annual grants programme.

Applications can be made until 4pm on Friday, February 10. To apply, download an application form by looking at the voluntary and community sector funding pages at redditchbc.gov.uk/grants.

For further information visit grants.team@redditchbc.gov.uk.