ADVICE is being made available to community groups in Sedgefield borough on how to apply for small grants.

Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield (Cavos) has organised two events for community and voluntary groups.

There will be opportunities to hear from funders about the activities they fund and how to tackle an application form.

Emma Howitt, Cavos development officer, said: "Although many community and voluntary groups run very successfully on local fundraising, getting a small grant can make a real difference to a group.

"It could provide new equipment, publicity material, pay for a training course, transport or many other things."

Representatives from the Community Fund, Awards for All, County Durham Foundation and Lloyds TSB Foundation will be giving short presentations and answering questions.

Events will take place on Thursday, March 14, at Tudhoe Community Centre, and Thursday, April 11, at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre. Both events run from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Ms Howitt said: "The main difficulties for community groups are lack of knowledge about what money is available, and lack of confidence in their ability to get it.

"But this needn't be the case and Cavos can provide lots of help and support.

"There are lots of opportunities for groups to get small grants, perhaps up to £5,000, through a simple application form process."

For more information about the grants system, contact Cavos on (01740) 652000.