PARISH councillors are looking to local people for support as it makes a bid for transport funding.

If successful, Dene Valley Parish Council will have access to £10,000 which local people can tap into for travelling costs.

The money would not be used to buy transport for the council, but would be available to individuals or community groups, who could apply for grants to help them become more mobile.

Chairman of the council, Councillor Chris Foote Wood, said: "The parish council has been established for less than two years and we are there to make a difference.

"One of the things that we have always had in mind was that there is certain funding only available to parish councils, and that allows us to bring extra funding into the area.''

Coun Foote Wood said that surveys had been delivered to every house in the Dene Valley area, which includes Coundon, Close House and surrounding villages.

He said: "We need as many people as possible to fill in and return the forms to back up the application. There is a free postal address on the back of the form.

"There is a £10,000 parish transport grant available which we certainly hope to get, subject to these surveys.''

The survey will be asking people about details of their transport requirements, such as needing to collect prescriptions or attend doctors' appointments.

Organisations may need transport to get to events or sporting venues, or youngsters might need support to attend after-school activities.

Coun Foote Wood said the parish council recognised that people living in small communities and villages often felt isolated because of their limited mobility.

He said: "It could be used to assist people living in the villages to gain access to facilities in neighbouring towns.

"We would have a simple form to fill in to apply for the money which could even be used for organisations which want to hire the Dene Valley Community Transport bus.''