FUNDING could be available to groups involved in projects to spruce up their local community.

Lancashire's Rural Action for the Environment has helped more than a dozen East Lancashire projects since 1995.

Now the organisation, fronted by the Community Council of Lancashire, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, is looking for new schemes to support.

Any project with a strong environmental theme will be considered, providing it is being led by a local interest group and involves volunteers. Joanne Leeman from the CCL said: "As well as helping groups with the usual type of environmental project such as tree planting and nature trails, Lancashire's Rural Action would like to encourage community initiatives which look at ways to reduce the impact of modern lifestyles.

"For instance, Rural Action can fund traffic surveys, energy-saving studies of community buildings, recycling projects and other schemes which help to promote an environmentally-friendly tomorrow."

The grant scheme is unique in that it allows volunteers to put a cost on their labour and match it against the 50per cent grant, along with other "contributions in kind".

Anyone interested in applying for funding should contact the Community Council of Lancashire, 15 Victoria Road, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8PS, telephone 01772 717461.

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