Community groups in the Broadland district are being urged to apply for part of �54,000 worth of grants available to improve the quality of life in the area.

The Broadland Community Partnership has identified five priority issues for which funding is available – biodiversity projects to improve the countryside, initiatives to involve people in community activities, raising skill levels and aspirations among young people or workless adults, reducing rural social isolation and preventing mental and physical ill health by promoting wellbeing.

Submissions to bid for the money must be in by April 18 but before that, an initial 'expression of interest' form has to be assessed, which can take up to a week once it has been received, so time is running out fast.

The partnership has defined outcomes for each of the identified project areas, and voluntary bodies, partnerships and third sector groups bidding for grants will have to show how their proposal measures up against the agreed criteria to be successful.

Partnership chairman and Broadland District Council leader Simon Woodbridge said: 'These are small amounts of money, but used wisely a little can go a long way to improve our residents' lives.

'We're looking for ideas that leave a legacy of a stronger community, and involve as many people as possible in volunteering to help the communities they live in.'

Full details are available at www.broadland.gov.uk/community_and_living/4233.asp or by contacting the Broadland Community Partnership co-ordinator Kate de Vries by email on community.partnership@broadland.gov.uk or by phone on 01603 430595.