Hundreds of applications have been received for the first month of the Community Chest campaign.

The Eastern Daily Press' campaign, in association with the Norfolk Community Foundation, has had eager readers snipping and saving to reach their 500 token target. And 200 groups have done it.

Alongside application forms, 100,000 tokens have been handed in to offices across the region. Now, the dragons face the challenge of choosing the winners - all of whom will receive a cash grant of between £250 and £2,500. They will be announced on Monday, February 15.

Our dragons - the judges - include Nigel Pickover, editor in chief; Graham Tuttle, chief executive of the Norfolk Community Foundation; Archant circulation director Darron McLoughlin; Paddy Seligman OBE; and Julie James, whose husband is the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James.

Nigel Pickover, editor in chief of the Eastern Daily Press - and one of the dragons - said: 'We have been astonished at the level of reaction and the clear need for help, which is shown by the number of applications for our Community Chest campaign.

'With around 200 applications for our January pot of £15,000 it is going to be a really tough job, but there is a whole year to go at, so we hope everyone will have a reason to smile over the months.'

The Community Chest campaign will run monthly throughout 2016.

- For more information about the Community Chest campaign or to get an application form, visit www.edp24.co.uk/communitychest

- If you are planning on taking part and want to share your story or have any questions, email jemma.walker@archant.co.uk or call 01603 772531