Share of £35,000 is up for grabs to community groups

COMMUNITY groups are being urged to apply for funding from the proceeds of a wind farm project.

The Crook Hill Community Benefit Fund provides up to £35,000 every year for community projects covering a 5km area from the wind farm site.

This area overlaps the eastern boundary of Rossendale and includes Britannia, Shawforth and Whitworth.

Applications are now open for the 2018 fund, managed by national grant-making charity, GrantScape, with grants available for between £250 and £10,000.

Fifteen groups received funding in 2015 with Whitworth Sports Council taking the largest individual grant award of £10,000 this year to help transform Leavengreave playing field.

A grant of £1,878 also went towards a defibrillator at the Riverside.

The closing date for applications is March 7, 2018. To be eligible you must be a local group with a written constitution, governing document or a set of rules and have a bank account with two signatories.

Individuals and commercial organisations cannot apply.

To apply visit www. grantscape.org.uk/fund/ crook-hill-communitybenefit-fund.