THOUSANDS of pounds are up for grabs by community groups across East Lancashire, thanks to a charitable trust set up by this newspaper's parent company.

Twice a year the Gannett Foundation awards cash grants to help special projects get off the ground, with a special emphasis on education, youth development and cultural enrichment.

In the past few years groups to have benefited in East Lancashire include: East Lancashire Deaf Society; Action Factory Blackburn; Lord's House Farm, Rishton; Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team; and Darwen Transport Trust.

Applications are now invited for the next round of grants to be announced at the end of April.

Applicants must be registered charities and have to provide clear details of the project they are seeking money for, the amount required, and details of their own fundraising efforts.

They should state if the project has the support of the local council, or other organisations, and are asked to provide a history of the project, especially if it is new, or ongoing.

They should also list those people involved with the project, e.g. manager/ chairman, bank details, numbers of paid staff or volunteer staff etc.

Uniformed, political and/ or animal rights groups are not eligible, and neither are religious groups whose aim is to promote religious doctrine.

No grants will be made available to fund salaries.

Grant application forms and further information can be obtained by emailing nnunn@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk or phoning 01254 298233.

Completed forms should be returned to Nick Nunn, Assistant Editor, Lancashire Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT, and must be received no later than Thursday, March 29.