TIME is running out for community groups hoping to share in a £20,000 windfall.

The closing date for the second phase of the Pride in Easington Community Grant Scheme is Monday, October 1.

Groups can apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to help cover costs of any scheme which reflects the principles of Pride in Easington, a long-term campaign aimed at making the district cleaner, greener and safer.

Earlier this year, nine good causes received grants in the inaugural stage of the scheme.

Recipients included the Seaham branch of the Shaw Trust, a charity providing work and training opportunities for people with learning difficulties. It runs a garden centre in Parkside, where service users learn horticultural and life skills.

Elaine Duffy, the Shaw Trust manager, said: "We've done a lot in the four years we have been running in Seaham, but funding sometimes can be difficult.

"The Pride grant scheme gave us a great opportunity to secure more money to improve our facilities. We used £2,600 of the grant we received to replace the glazing in our greenhouses and buy two polytunnels."

Eligible projects can focus on environmental issues, community safety, education, improving the appearance of an area or any other work that benefits the community.

Councillor George Patterson, chairman of the Pride in Easington steering group, said: "The last round of grants helped a number of organisations make a big difference to the communities they serve.''

Contact the Pride in Easington team on 0191-527-0501, extension 4516 or 4517