Applications for community groups, clubs and societies to benefit from cash grants to celebrate the Queen's birthday, are now open.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is now inviting applicants to register for a share of £90,000 grant funding, which the authority is making available to mark the monarch's 90th birthday.

The scheme, agreed by full council on Tuesday night, aims to mark the landmark event by supporting the borough's many and varied community and voluntary groups, whose activities contribute to local life.

Groups are able to apply for grants of between £250 and £1,500 to either support their existing work or fund a new activity or event.

The application period opened today and runs until 5pm on Friday, May 6.

All applications will be considered by a cross-party group of councillors and prominent members of the community.

Robert Read, the council's director of housing and neighbourhoods, said: 'Handing out small grants to celebrate and support community involvement is a great way to mark the Queen's 90th birthday.

'The borough is blessed with so many fabulous community and voluntary groups, many of them run by volunteers, which help to enrich quality of life for thousands of people. The borough council is committed to recognising these dedicated people.

'The council welcomes applications from new or established community groups to either support their existing work or fund a new activity. While those seeking funding do not need to demonstrate any link to the Queen's birthday celebrations, applicants must be able to explain what a grant would mean to them and how they would use it to benefit their local community.'

The grant awards will be announced during the main month of national celebrations for the Queen's birthday, which is May 12 to June 12.

• For more information or to submit an application online, visit www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/queens-birthday. Those with enquiries or would like a paper application form are asked to call 01493 846219 or email participation@great-yarmouth.gov.uk