Project Butterfly - a scheme which will allow neighbourhoods to tackle the issues which matter most to them - has been endorsed by one of the county's top police officers.

Project Butterfly - a scheme which will allow neighbourhoods to tackle the issues which matter most to them - has been endorsed by one of the county's top police officers.

Organised by the EDP, Norfolk police and Virgin Money, the campaign invites communities to submit ideas for schemes or projects that will improve neighbourhood conditions or provide activities.

Virgin Money will fund the labour and materials to the value of £10,000 and possible ideas include setting up a sports club, making over a social or youth club or schemes which will bring together different groups and ages. The closing date for entries has been extended to July 16 to allow more communities to take part.

The project coincides with the introduction of Norfolk police's Safer Neighbourhoods scheme, which will see every community designated its own team of officers and support officers.

Chief Supt Charlie Hall, Eastern area commander, said: "Safer Neighbour-hoods is all about teams of police officers and police staff working alongside the community to identify key local issues, whether those are criminal damage, graffiti, anti-social behaviour or anything else, and then put something in place to deal with them. "While each team will aim to help its community in whatever way they can, Project Butterfly will provide the resources and the opportunity to put something in place that might not otherwise be possible."

Mr Hall added that the introduction of the Safer Neighbourhoods teams had been welcomed. "In the year or more that they have been in place in the east of the county we have noticed real signs that the teams are building trust and confidence and people are feeling better about their communities."

In the first phase, communities and residents in the north and east of the county, as indicated on the dark blue area of the map, are being invited to submit ideas. Phases two and three, which will be announced later this year, will extend the same opportunity to those in the rest of the county.

A judging panel with representatives from all three organisations will then select the winning project.

Communities interested in entering can visit www.EDP24.co.uk,write to Helen Cheek, Project Butterfly, EDP Marketing, Prospect House, Rouen Rd, Norwich, NR1 1RE or call 01603 772240. No cash alternative is available.