Voluntary organisations in the borough are being encouraged to get their bids in now for a share of £1m on offer for community projects in and around London.

The scheme is being run by the Bridge House Estates Trust Fund, part of the Corporation of London. As well as being the body responsible for maintaining several of the Capital's oldest bridges across the Thames, the trust also has a grant awarding function supporting charitable activity across London.

Croydon has been chosen as one of 11 boroughs eligible to bid for money this year. Any voluntary sector organisation that has its own bank account and an income of less than £50,000 is eligible to apply for a grant of between £500 and £5,000. Grants are given out for projects with a wide range of themes such as older people, children or the disabled.

An example grant awarded in a previous year was for a children's cooking course that involved celebrity chefs helping to teach youngsters about nutrition and preparing food.

Anyone interested in making a bid for a grant can find a link to the Bridge House Trust on the council's Smarter Croydon website Alternatively you can contact Sandra Davidson at Bridge House on 0207332 3705.