Community groups across north Norfolk are being invited to bid for a share of a £17,500 pot of money, with the launch of the latest round of funding from the Victory Housing Community Fund.

Charities, voluntary groups, community organisations and parish councils have until March 23 to apply for grants of up to £5,000.

The money can be spent on anything from venue hire to capital projects, as well as equipment, start-up expenses and training.

So far more than £400,000 has been given out since the fund was launched by Victory Housing Trust in 2008, with 148 grants totalling £405,549 benefitting a range of community projects across the north of the county.

The fund aims to provide support for community groups which are making a difference at grassroots level in local communities.

Victory Housing Trust chief executive John Archibald said: 'This year marks the tenth anniversary of our Community Fund, and in that time the grants that we have given have made a real difference in communities right across north Norfolk, helping those organisations which make those communities tick at a grassroots level,'

'We would particularly encourage bids from organisations which have not applied before, and the application process is deliberately simple and user-friendly.'

In the last round of grants, in November, seven community groups received grants of between £800 and £5,000 to help with projects as diverse as a foodbank, a village hall, a group which supports women affected by sexual exploitation, and a bowls and snooker club.

Once bids close, the decision about where the money goes will be made by a panel consisting of Victory Housing Trust residents, advised by the grants team at Norfolk Community Foundation, which administers the fund on behalf of Victory.

Applications for grants can be made by any organisation or group established for charitable purposes, provided there is a formal structure which allows for monitoring of activity and feedback – official charitable status is not necessary.

Full details of how to apply for grants from the Victory Housing Community Fund can be found at www.norfolkfoundation.com/funds/victory-housing-trust-community-fund.