COMMUNITY groups are being offered the chance to bid for funding to make their neighbourhoods more environmentally friendly.

Stockton Borough Council is inviting groups that would like to develop energy efficiency and low-carbon energy projects to apply for up to £3,000 to help pay for the schemes.

Successful projects will need to be sustainable, focus on energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, renewable energy or reducing fuel poverty through energy efficiency.

Councillor David Rose is urging organisations and groups tomake an application as soon as possible to be in with a chance of getting funding.

He said: "This fund is a great chance for community groups and charities to apply for funding to help themmake an environmental difference within their own community."

Successful applicants can use the funding for a wide variety of schemes or projects as long as they are sustainable.

The cash grants can be used for improving energy efficiency in community buildings and homes through insulation and incorporating renewable energy in existing projects, for example, through the installation of solar panels.

For more details or to request an application form, contact Stockton council's environmental projects team on 01642-526596, email melanie.greenwood@stockton.gov.uk or visit stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/envpol/EAgrantinfo Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the deadline for applications is January 9.