£70,000 up for grab in 'Dragon's Den'

The Cash for Communities project is the first of its kind to be organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

People are being invited to turn up to an event and make a pitch for a grant, with amounts up to £2,500 up for grabs.

Successful applicants will receive a decision there and then from a "panel of dragons".

The events are open to all citizens. The Community and Voluntary Services are promoting the initiative to all their groups and asking them to fill in a simple expression of interest form but individuals with their own ideas are also able to apply.

Anyone putting in a bid automatically join the "panel of dragons" and can then vote on all the other proposals.

Cash for Communities is aimed at giving local people access to grants but also a say on where it is spent.

The initiative follows the neighbourhood priorities campaign where the Council and partners asked local people what mattered most where they lived.

There is a total of £70,000 available across the borough through Cash for Communities to help address local priorities.

The cash for community events are being held in neighbourhoods across the borough in the summer.

The pitches for cash can cover a wide range of ideas, from a bench at a local park to sports equipment for local children.

Harry Catherall, deputy chief executive community and personal, said: "This is a great opportunity to get cash for your community and have a say where it is being spent.

"If you make a pitch for cash, you will also get the chance to vote on the others bids being put forward in your area.

"Don't miss your chance to get involved in this exciting new initiative."

If you are interested in taking part in Cash for Communities, then fill in the simple one-page expression of interest form and return it by Friday, June 8.

To get a form, log onto the website below, call the small grants team on (01254) 585727 or visit your local community centre.