The deadline is looming for community groups and charities in the Sheringham area to throw their collective hats in the ring for the chance to receive a massive £5,000 grant.

Tesco Sheringham has teamed up with the North Norfolk News and Eastern Daily Press to award three grants of £5,000 to community groups and charities within a 20-mile radius of the town.

Interest from local groups has been fierce but there's still time if you want to get involved. Applications will close tomorrow Friday August 22 and all you have to do is fill in the application form at www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/sheringham-tesco-grants.

Don't worry if you don't have time to fill everything in, the most important thing is that you submit your application. The Helping Hands team will be able to help you finish everything off.

Tesco is inviting readers of North Norfolk News and EDP, along with customers of Tesco at Sheringham, to make the final decision on which three projects receive a £5,000 grant, by voting for those they feel bring the most community benefit.

People will be able to choose their favourites from a short list of projects whittled down by a panel of Tesco Sheringham Store Manager Simon Nellis, editor of the North Norfolk News Richard Batson, and Norfolk Community Foundation Chief Executive Graham Tuttle.

It is going to be a very hard decision.

The Tesco Sheringham Community Fund was set up in 2012 to accompany the launch of Tesco's new store in the town. So far the Fund has given out over £30,000 to local community groups and charities in the Sheringham area.

Groups that have already benefited from the fund include the Good Hope Club which used their grant to organize a summer barbecue for local people with learning difficulties, and the Sheringham Skate Project which used £1,500 to fund 10 skating sessions for local women of all ages.

Tesco Sheringham store manager Simon Nellis said: 'Here at Tesco Sheringham we can't wait for the next stage of the competition. The interest from customers and local people has been absolutely amazing and I'd encourage anyone interested to get their application in. It's going to be a very hard decision but the main thing is that we're going to make a real difference to some local groups'.

Richard Batson, editor of the North Norfolk News said: 'This area is rich in community groups providing vital services for local people. Times have been tough which can have an impact on fundraising, so here is a golden chance to bid for a £5,000 boost for your club or charity coffers.

'And there is a added bonus of publicity for the causes which make the shortlist for the public vote.'